DO YOU KNOW YOUR TACOMA HISTORY ... AND LOVE FOOD? >>

Foodcaching is a new smart phone app alerting customers of awesome food deals at 16 restaurants in the greater Tacoma area. You may download the app for free on your iPhone and Android here.

The Weekly Volcano has teamed up with Foodcaching for the True Tacoman game. Every Tuesday and Friday right here on Spew, we post a Tacoma history trivia provided by the Washington State History Museum. If you know the answer, run to one of the 16 participating restaurants, come clean with answer and you'll receive points on your Foodcaching app, which you downloaded free here. We'll be running the True Tacoman trivia game through the end of the year.

The person will the most points on Dec. 31 will be crowned the True Tacoman and be flooded with various food prizes.

Friday's True Tacoman trivia answer

Friday, we posted the question: What did the indigenous people of the South Puget sound call Mount Rainier back in the day? You spent the last four days telling the restaurants listed below that is was Tacoba, Tacoma and Tahoma, thereby, scoring points on the Foodcaching app. It's much easier than actually climbing said mountain. 

Today is Tuesday, which means we post another trivia question as part of the True Tacoman contest.

Today's True Tacoman trivia question

Beginning in the 1840s and moving foward in time, the citizens of the United States who arrived in the Pacific Northwest were known to the Native Americans as:

A) Yankees?

B) Bostons?

C) Mericans?

Answer the question correctly at one of the 16 participating restaurants below and score points - besides scoring awesome food deals from the restaurants. The correct answer will be revealed Friday, Nov. 25 on Spew. Also keep an eye on this blog for bonus game points and a special invite to the True Tacoman Game Party in early 2012.

Oh, you can download the free app here.

Participating restaurants

• 1022 South, 1022 South J St., Tacoma, 253.627.8588, Facebook
• Capers Cafe & Take Home, 2602 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.761.4444, Facebook
• Dirty Oscar's Annex, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.0588, Facebook
• Dorky's Arcade, 754 Pacfic Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.4156, Facebook
• Harmon Brewery & Eatery, 1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.2739, Facebook
• Harmon Tap Room, 204 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.212.2725, Facebook
• The Hub, 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.683.4606, Facebook
• Jake's Bar & Bistro, 215 Wilkes St., Steilacoom, 253.581.3300, Website
• Massimo Italian Bar & Grill, 4020 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.503.1902, Facebook
• Marrow Kitchen & Bar, 2717 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.267.5299, Facebook
• Over The Moon Cafe, 709 Court C/Opera Alley, Tacoma, 253.284.3722, Facebook
• Pacific Grill, 1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.3535, Facebook
• The Social Bar & Grill, 1715 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.301.3835, Facebook
• STINK Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.426.1347, Facebook
• Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe, 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1502, Facebook
• TWOKOI Japanese Restaurant, 1552 Commerce St., Tacoma, 253.274.8999, Facebook

TUESDAY, NOV. 22, 2011 >>>

1. Tsui Hark's Detective Dee boasts multiple people bursting into flame, a talking stag that also fights, an actual underworld complete with a Charon-like ferryman, people changing their faces via acupuncture, a fight with what looks like a puppet and a shady herbalist named "Dr. Donkey Wang." Nice. The Grand Cinema will screen Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame at 1:40 and 6:10 p.m. as part of its Tuesday Film Series.

2. Tin Man plays an all-ages show at 6 p.m. inside the Mandolin Café. Opening will be the Scarecrow.

3. Sante Fe, New Mexico, is known for its arts and restaurant scene. Some how the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tacoma convinced artist Jack McCarthy to leave said paradise in order to give a 7 p.m. lecture on the art of woodcuts, linocuts, monocut printing and handmade bookmaking. We have no idea if he'll reveal the best spots to dine in Sante Fe. It's worth a shot, though.

4. Watercolor artist Susie Short will come clean on her techniques before the Peninsula Art League at 7 p.m. inside the Cottesmore Retirement Center in Gig Harbor.

5. Conductor Edwin Powell will lead pianist Oksana Ejhokina and the Pacific Lutheran University Wind Ensemble in concert at 8 p.m. inside the Lagerquist Concert Hall.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: This week's freebies

LINK: Ho! 2011 South Sound Holiday Calendar

Thing: Emily's Chocolates

Manufactured in: Fife

Product is: A little on the pricey side

When: Shopping at local retailers

Like: Metropolitan Market

Although: You can save a buck

By: Shopping at the factory's outlet

Listen: And learn, folks

Until recently, I would only treat myself on the rare and very special occasion to a small bag of Emily's chocolate covered cashews or chocolate covered cherries - both of which would roughly cost me an upward of $7 each. Do you know what a girl like me can do with $7? Read my column here for the sweet details.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Let's Look At The Weather: Rain, lots of it, for 40 days and 40 nights. (Wunderground)

Some Of You Can't Reading This Awesomeness: Outages! (News Tribune)

Tacoma School District: There goes the few remaining field trips. (News Tribune)

Nice To Have This Now: Downtown Tacoma rain gardens will filter, not soak. (News Tribune)

Well This Is Just Super: Uncertainty lingers about what the continued fallout will be from the failure of the congressional "super committee" to forge a deficit reduction deal. (CNN)

"Ask About The Measurement Of The Sun": Leonardo da Vinci's To-Do List (NPR)

Is Jay-Z An Illuminati Puppet?: Pop music's strangest conspiracy theories. (Slate)

Anthony Bourdain: Unvarnished opinions, lots of smoking and swearing, and tales of hard living that enhance his travels rather than detracting from them. (AV Club)

Wish It Was On Right Now: Game of Thrones season 2 teaser. (Los Angeles Times)

New Mode: Depeche Mode original members Vince Clarke and Martin L. Gore have announced they will release a series of EPs and a new album under the band name VCMG. (Rolling Stone)

Um: Star Wars theme engagement photos (Geekologie)

Electric Six covers "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"

WINTER BEERS >>>

Thanksgiving -  cruelly sandwiched in between two much cooler holidays - has always been a bit of a letdown for me. Maybe I just had to draw one too many handprint turkeys and write too many lists of things to be thankful for when I was a kid.

I promised myself that I wouldn't write anything this cheesy, but right now I've got a deadline bearing down on me like a Mack truck and the Thanksgiving route is starting to look pretty appealing.

So as the almighty writing gods send two giant black crows named Triteness and Cliche to peck my eye-sockets clean, let us give thanks for the following: Jolly Roger 2010, Schooner Exact Hoppy the Woodsman 2009 and 2010, Avery The Beast, Lost Abbey Angel's Share, Russian River Temptation, Sierra/Dogfish Life and Limb 2, 21st Amendment Hop Crisis, Avery duganA, Bear Republic Racer X, Boneyard Femme Fatale, Russian River Pliny the Elder, Southern Tier Crème Brûlée, Southern Tier Pumking (bottles) and Stone Double Bastard.

Those are the winter beers the Parkway Tavern will pour Thanksgiving night. Obviously, I have to rethink this holiday.

[Parkway Tavern, Thursday, Nov. 24, 5 p.m. to close, 313 N. I St., Tacoma, 253.383.8748]

P.S.: The Red Hot and the Harmon Tap Room have growlers for your Thanksgivign dinner.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 23, 2011 >>>

1. Doyle's Public House's annual Bad Holiday Sweater Party consumes the Stadium District watering hole beginning at 7 p.m. The ugly holiday sweater contest prizes will be shelled out for the best worst male, best worst female, best worst couple and best worst group. In support of Project Red, Doyle's will be introducing the COSBY - a unique concoction featuring Belvedere vodka that will help hide the fact you're wearing a hideous holiday sweater.

2. Hell's Kitchen hosts a Thanksgiving Eve CD release show featuring Czar, Super Happy Story Time Land, Deathbed Confessions, Blood & Thunder and A Sic End beginning at 6 p.m.

3. There is no such thing as too many open jam nights. If you agree with that statement, then you probably know the Harmon Tap Room has launched a Wednesday Open Jam from 7-9 p.m. The Stadium District brewpub hosts spotlight local performers every week to back those willing to get up and jam. Expect Harmon brews to be out in full force as well as drink and food specials. And you know someone will wander into the outdoor beer garden and jam on top of the tables. You just know it.

4. Take the modern alt-country blues sound of Drive-By Truckers, throw in the fun loving attitude and riff-blues-rock of ZZ Top, mix them all together and you get close to the vibe of Too Slim and the Taildraggers. This is real, down and dirty rock and roll - a delightful jumble of virtuosic slide guitar work from frontman Tim "Too Slim" Langford and the revamped rock sound of the Taildraggers. The band's vibe blends power-chord-driven, fun-loving nasty grooves with a new, indie-rock songwriting vibe. And it works. Ride the vibe with openers Nolan Garrett Trio and The Fat Tones at 7:30 p.m. inside Jazzbones. Our man DJ J Fresh follows with Vegas Nights at around 11:30 p.m.

5. Strange Vine - specifically guitarist and drummer Toby Cordova and Ian Blesse - plays a bluesy/psychedelic rock dripping with older influences. The two-piece also incorporates an organ, which the drummer simultaneously plays with one hand. For a much better description, read Rev. Adam McKinney's past feature on the band here. Catch the band at 9 p.m. at The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music in the area

LINK: This week's freebies

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

City Of Tacoma Budget Woes: Tacoma City Council has five ideas. You better be certain you're being robbed or it will cost you. (News Tribune)

Tacoma's Future: An alternative view of Tacoma in the 21st century. (News Tribune)

Um, Not Guilty To DUI: Fife's mayor pro tem spins the wheel. (News Tribune)

Your Turkey PiñataOutside Is Going To See Hell: High winds forecasted for Thanksgiving. (Kitsap Sun)

GOP Debate: The latest GOP presidential debate exposed deep fault lines among the candidates on how to grapple with the nation's security challenges. (CNN)

U Can't Haz Sadz: The hushed dangers of startup depression. (Beta Beat)

Trippy: The magic of Hollywood's green screen. (Flavorwire)

Thanksgiving Hand Turkeys: 12 dumb ones. (TruTV)

Time To Face The Day

IN THIS WEEK'S WEEKLY VOLCANO >>>

Long night last night? Us too.

Slam back some tasty soul food. There's nothing like a few ribs to blow that hangover out the side of your head.

Now go home and take a nap. Maybe watch some bad afternoon-style TV, like an odd hour of Lonesome Dove or some M*A*S*H reruns. Then hit the showers, kid, because the Weekly Volcano has done it again. We've delivered another awesome week of local music coverage - this time with a little extra cranberry for you, our beloved readers.

And just to show off, we've created the best local music coverage one day earlier.

Drink some ice-cold beers, chain-smoke to your heart's content (or discontent), and take a gander at the sonic goodness coming at you in print and online in this week's Volcano. ...

FEATURE: DEREK KELLEY AND THE SPEEDWOBBLES

"I guess, if we were stars, you'd call it an all-star band, but I don't know if we are," laughs Derek Kelley.

Even though Kelley's being modest in his assessment of the Speedwobbles, that's about as close to an apt description of the band as you'll find. Not only is it fronted by Kelley, who found success with his earlier band, Wallpaper, but the rest of the seven-member group features performers from the Vells, the Brite Futures (formerly Natalie Portman's Shaved Head), Abraham and the New Faces. It's a sort of local super-group, an assembly of preternaturally talented and charismatic musicians who have successful projects in their own rights. The document that has been produced by this group - the Speedwobbles' debut LP, Bourgeoisie Marmalade - is representative of this kind of talent. ... – Rev. Adam McKinney

HIP-HOP: DJ MANPREET & R.I. PRODUCTIONS

Bhangra and Bollywood - two types of music that originate in the Punjab section of India. Bhangra is roughly 80-90 beats-per-minute (BPM), and Bollywood is around 130 BPM. In the United States, Bhangra is the more popular of the two because it mirrors the same speed as American hip-hop, so MCs that rhyme over world music like to spit to Bhangra. A good example of this would be the Punjabi MC song with Jay-Z. How does this global aspect of hip-hop impact Tacoma? Well ... – Josh Rizeberg

WE RECOMMEND: MAN WITHOUT WAX

In a manner similar to fellow bombastic locals Roman Holiday, Man Without Wax sounds perfectly radio-ready, a band just lying around, waiting for someone to discover them and throw them on the modern rock station. They've captured the sound of bands like Kings of Leon and even groups from the Glasgow scene (Frightened Rabbit, Glasvegas) - bands that revel in drama, and never shy from shooting for the rafters. – Rev. AM

BETTER LIVING THROUGH MUSIC: THE DUSTY 45s, PARIS SPLEEN, SCOUT NIBLETT ...

The moment you tour as the great Wanda Jackson's backing band, as the Dusty 45s recently did, I'd say all bets are off. That's a lifetime of argument-ending, "Oh yeah, well, we were Wanda Jackson's backing band," moments. As a band in their own right, the Dusty 45s produce mostly faithful approximations of classic country, blues rock and honky-tonk, with a kind of rollicking flair that helps iron out any initial hesitance one may have regarding sincerity or credentials (and hey, pal, they were Wanda fucking Jackon's backing band). Lead singer Billy Joe Huels' voice has a very pleasant quality about it, something reminiscent of the crooning vocalists who dabbled in Latin-flavored pop in the early '60s (think "Take a Letter Maria"). It's a potent combination. – Rev. AM

PLUS: Concert Alert

PLUS: Comprehensive Live Local Music Listings

PLUS: Angry Cobra Cat

CRITICAL MASS >>>

Spew sifts through the Internets for local arts stories so you don't have to.

Weekly Volcano visual arts critic Alec Clayton can't seem to escape the work of artist Troy Gua, which isn't a problem for our art critic. "Gua's art is both conceptual and formally aesthetic. It is filled with humor (except when it is deadly serious such as in the war memorial show at Fulcrum) and with art world references. It is smart and skillfully executed," Clayton writes in this week's Volcano. Read Clayton full take on Gua here.

Heads Up: Two worthy arts events are headed our way. First, Tacoma Poet Laureate Josie Emmons Turner will host a poetry open mic for young writers Sunday. On Nov. 30, Lynn Di Nino unleashes "Pin a Dorito on an American" on Tacoma.

Kate Albert Ward over at Post Defiance has summoned Dr. David Karpeles to renovate his manuscript museum saying, "... it would better honor his remarkable collection, the museum would become a bigger draw in Tacoma, and it would be able to better fulfill Dr. Karpeles mission to inspire youth." It's a thorough piece of one of Tacoma's hidden treasures.

The News Tribune's Rosemary Ponnekanti reviews T-Town Transgender Neighbors: A Portrait Exhibition - a 13-piece photography and text show at the University of Puget Sound Collins Library. Ponnekanti says, "It’s not fantastic art, but it moves you just as much."

Janette Ryan‘s amazing photographs of Puget Sound are eloquently described on the Spaceworks Tacoma blog. "Through her lens, the horizon line dividing sky and sea dissolves into nothingness. Docks and pilings become graphic strokes so pure as to resemble a mysterious language of dots and dashes left behind by humans from an indeterminate age." Nice.

PLUS: This week's movie releases

PLUS: Freeloaders!

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment of the day comes from Daniel in regards to Alec Clayton's Rebirth of a city feature about photographer Peter Serko, his exhibit at the Museum of Glass and MOG's importance to the City of Tacoma.

Daniel writes,

MOG may be losing money, but it has been absolutely essential to the revitalization of downtown and the arts district. UWT is - to be sure - important, but insufficient. UWT is a commuter campus and is closed on the weekend; without a complimentary effort downtown would look like UW Seattle's Ave, that is to say dead on the weekends. MOG is an essential part of the downtown Tacoma's arts "brand", presenting nice synergy with TAM and the theater district.