WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28, 2011 >>>

1. If you still find yourself on vacation this holiday season (lucky bastard), try rounding up the entire family and heading to Northwest Trek, where the "Winter Wildland" promotion continues through Jan. 1. Promotion for the third annual event urges you to, "Watch animals throughout the wildlife park enjoy fun, holiday-themed enrichments. Then head over to the indoor, seasonally-themed Cheney Family Discovery Center to learn about how animals adapt to winter." Find more info here.

2. End County Road (the somewhat goofy dudes pictured above) will perform today at the Mandolin Café in Tacoma. The show is all ages and starts at 6 p.m.

3. The Nolan Garrett Trio holds down this week's Wednesday Session at Jazzbones.

4. Across the bridge and all the way in Bremerton (if you find yourself there), the venerable Mike & Lee host an open mic night at The Manette Restaurant and Bar. It starts at 8 p.m.

5. Think you're funny? Want to prove it? The Tacoma Comedy Club on Market Street invites one and all (as long as they're 21 or older) to test their chops during the Wednesday comedy open mic. It starts at 7:30 p.m. and there's a $5 cover.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight

LINK: This week's freebies