WEDNESDAY DEC. 7, 2011 >>>

1. Play bingo with those not just killing time before the Grim Reaper calls their number. Every Wednesday at The New Frontier Lounge, players are treated to a rather boisterous evening of number-calling. The music rocks, the prizes are craptastic and there's something very satisfying about yelling "It's not a tumor!" when B-9 is pulled from the hopper (Schwarzenegger anyone?). Sessions are free with $2 margaritas and $4 Cuervo Gold shots during bingo. Every Wednesday night is also Taco Night with $1 beef, $1 black bean and $2 chicken in soft or crunchy shells.

2. When it comes to coverage of climate change, energy, and environmental issues, the meltdown in mainstream news reporting couldn't come at a worse time. That shrinking category of news is as critical as ever. But the ranks of reporters best equipped to cover these major environmental and climate change stories at most news outlets, particularly in local markets, are being decimated. Ellen Moore, lecturer for Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at UW Tacoma, will discuss how mainstream media cover environmental issues at 12:30 p.m. in Room 117 of the Joy Building on the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

3. A Midsummer Night's Dream is filled with more plot twists, love triangles and relationship misadventures than your average Hollywood chick flick. Some might even say that it's like an episode of Jerry Springer filmed on location in an enchanted Athenian forest. Under the lead of student director Jordan Beck, 12 Pacific Lutheran University students will stage the Shakespeare classic - with contemporary costuming and an expressionistic, whimsical set - at 7:30 p.m. on the Eastvold Mainstage.

4. Doyle's Public House will add a little holiday spirit to its 8 p.m. Wednesday Knowledge Night contest. The Stadium District watering hole will be collecting canned food and toys during the game. In return for your generous donation you'll receive a free appetizer and a chance to win bonus points and prizes.

5. Hawaiian reggae band Island Bound will perform at 8 p.m. inside Jazzbones.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Happy hours