KICKING IT >>>

In a sea of bizarre, kooky music video shows that are often hard to watch, one new ship looks to be promising: The Kickback, a Northwest music video show, hit the airwaves Friday night. The show claims it will bring the latest in Northwest music news through interviews and videos. In the debut episode - which aired on Channel 26 Click! and Channel 28 Comcast - three VJs chat up artists Dice, Voxx, Project Lionheart and Tacoma's Anchor The Tide.

Check it out and tell us what you think. We suggest the camera pulls back a bit in the opening sequence so it doesn't say "ickback" behind the VJs.

WE SCENE IT >>>

The Big Wheel Stunt Show, the Tacoma rock band Weekly Volcano Editor Matt Driscoll interviewed in this week's issue, rocked a medium-sized crowd last night at Hell's Kitchen. If you have seen the band perform before, you no doubt had to elbow your way to the front. The weather came into play at the all-ages show that included my new favorite garage/surf band, Dungeon Science. The only elbow I had to dodge came from the booze monitor in front of the bathroom.

Thankfully the crowd size didn't affect Big Wheel's enthusiasm. While some of us stood, some of us sat, some of us took pictures with a crappy camera and some of us pumped our fists, the band rocked it.

The Big Wheel Stunt show guitarist and frontman Evan Nagle

The Big Wheel Stunt Show drummer Justin Gimse

The Big Wheel Stunt Show bassist Jake Melius

Nagle rocks DJ Darren Selector.

Dungeon Science

HIDDEN HAND-BLOWN GLASS BALLS >>>

Monkeyshines, an anonymous, slightly crazed Tacoma art project, unleashed marauding gangs of craftspeople, artisans, and their multitudinous admirers on the genteel people of Tacoma placing around 500 hand-blown glass balls throughout the streets and neighborhoods of Tacoma on the Chinese New Year, which is today.

The glass balls, each stamped with the image of a dragon (Year of the Dragon!), are hidden throughout the city and are meant to be gifts for whoever finds them.

Run for your art!

Update: An offical Monkeyshibes press release arrived.

Tacoma, WA, January 23 - For the ninth year in a row, Monkeyshines, Tacoma's anonymous glass art project, has hidden  hand-blown glass balls throughout the streets and neighborhoods of Tacoma in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Now it's up to treasure hunters to go find them.

Monkeyshines first became a news item in 2003, when they gave away more than 200 glass balls in honor of the Chinese Year of the Monkey. Since then, they've hidden literally thousands of pieces of glass art each Chinese New Year. In 2010, more than 500 glass balls and glass medallions were hidden to celebrate the Year of the Tiger. And last year, the same happened for the Year of the Rabbit.

In honor of the current Year of the Dragon, this year's balls and medallions are stamped with a dragon's image. The pieces were created by a team of local artists, including  students from the Hilltop Artists in Residence glassblowing program. The artworks were hidden throughout the city late last night by a group of bleary-eyed but enthusiastic volunteers. "It's become part of the fabric of Tacoma," said one participant. "It feels like its become a bigger deal each year."

"Celebrating the Year of the Dragon with glass art is a natural," said Miss Monkey, the project's official, unidentified spokesperson. "Dragons are all about fire, energy and beauty. And glass floats are beautiful in a way that is so true to a waterfront community like Tacoma. They are the ultimate beachcomber's treasure. Everyone should own at least one."
 
While a few of the glass floats may actually show up on local beaches, don't assume they'll all be there. The artists and participants who hide the pieces try to vary the locations to keep the chance of finding one a true surprise. On previous years, the glass artworks were spotted in the branches of trees, throughout downtown, and in clever spots in many Tacoma neighborhoods. The works are meant to be gifts for whoever finds them.
 
In conjunction with the glass art, local poster artists Beautiful Angle created a dragon-themed poster, which will also be distributed throughout downtown Tacoma.

Monkeyshines representatives want to be clear that the glass gifts are meant to be found, taken home, and shared with friends. "This is an art project that is of, by, and for our community," said one of the lead participants, "but please take only one. Let others have some fun, too."

Monkeyshines is not an organization. It is a slightly-crazed art project that may or may not occur again. Keep looking in the low-growing branches of trees for more information.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Have You Heard About The Weather?: People are still in the dark with more rain and wind coming. (News Tribune)

Tacoma's Pothole Program: There's a partial plan. (News Tribune)

Eye On Olympia: New traffic fine would fund crime victims' services. (Peninsula Daily News)

Gay Marriage Bills: Two public hearings on gay marriage bills are set for today in Olympia. (King 5)

Public Works: $1 billion public-works package that could potentially put 25,000 people to work, many starting in the summer construction season just months away. (The Olympian)

European Union Vs. Iran: EU foreign ministers impose new sanctions on Iran citing Iran's refusal to negotiate over its nuclear program. The sanctions include a ban on the import of Iranian oil. (CNN)

Blackberry: Co-chief executives Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie have stepped down in a shake-up. (BBC)

Special Investigative Committee: Miranda July called before Congress to explain exactly what her whole thing is. (The Onion)

What Are They, Maniacs?: Get ready for Flashdance - The Musical. (EW)

Oh Hell Yes: J Mascis bobblehead. (Pitchfork)

Oh Hell Yes II: Dwight Schrute's 13 Best Moments. (BuzzFeed)

Hello Trivia Nights: The 10 most expensive books in the world. (Flavorpill)

MONDAY, JAN. 23, 2012 >>>

1. It has all the makings of a very green day in Tacoma. At 12:30 p.m. at the University of Washington Tacoma, join Regan Dunn from the UW Seattle's Biology Department as part of the UWT's Environmental Seminar series. Dunn will discuss "Tracking the Evolution of South American Biota of the Middle-Cenozoic of Patagonia, Argentina." Seminars go down in room 309 of the Science building.

2. Capt. Charles Moore's presentation, "The Great Infection of the Sea," has nothing to do with that time Lindsey Lohan gave the entire Strait of Gibraltar Chlamydia (like you read about in US Weekly). Rather, Moore's presentation is actually of paramount importance, with the scientist and activist discussing his book, Plastic Ocean, which, according to pre-event hype, "describes the alarming presence of plastics in our oceans."  Capt. Moore will be at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma today, speaking in the Murray Boardroom in Wheelock Student Center at 5:30 p.m.  The good captain will talk about what he reportedly calls the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" in the Pacific Ocean. Information on the U.P.S. website indicates the area is "roughly two million square miles in size," and "is estimated to hold an estimated three million tons of plastic debris." Should be some uplifting chats.

3.. Holy nerd alert, Batman! It's the fourth Monday of the month - which means the super hero-centric Capes & Cowls Book Club - billed as a "... book club adapted to mutants, aliens, technogeeks and puny humans who like to read superhero comics" - holds its monthly meeting at King's Books. January's super hero-y selection is The Sensational She-Hulk by John Byrne.

4. Greta Jane Quartet begins its Monday night run at the 4th Avenue Tavern in downtown Olympia tonight. Catch the local favorites from 9 - 11 p.m.

5. Mondays mean all-ages trivia at the Mandolin Café in Tacoma, hosted by Jeff Ross. The quizzical fun starts at 6 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

HOLIDAY HELPINGS >>>

Still reeling from New Year's Eve? Don't pack up the party just yet: The Year of the Dragon is on, kicking off 15 days of Chinese New Year festivities around the world. But it's not just an excuse to get drunk and make resolutions; this is also the most important Chinese holiday of the year, a period of purging, bonding and ritual tied to the lunar and solar cycles of the earth.

In honor of the holiday, let's eat Chinese today.

Happy Dragon Chinese Food

5104 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.0800
One of the oldest Chinese restaurants in Tacoma with some of the oldest Chinese servers in Tacoma - who happen to be very nice. The mango chicken, Mongolian beef and tangy eggplant are our go-to dishes. - Jake and Jason de Paul

Happy Teriyaki #4

2223 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1544
The small franchise location specializes in fast, tasty and affordable Asian cuisine; Chinese teriyaki dishes dominate the menu with a smattering of Mongolian, Szechwan, Korean, Cantonese and Japanese dishes thrown in - sushi, sushi rolls, sashimi, bento box, tempura, chow mien, kimchi, soups, spring rolls, barbeque pork, yakisoba, katsu, almond chicken, fried rice, beef short ribs and stir-fry. The portions are generous and affordable. What stands out is the friendly attitude of the staff. On each visit, service has not only been efficient and swift but pleasantly provided. - Jennifer Johnson

K&C Burkie

12926 Bridgeport Way SW. Lakewood, 253.582.9250
Friendly faces serve standard American food alongside Korean, Chinese and Japanese dishes at K & C Burkie Burgers just outside McChord gates. The small, clean and casual eatery does a good job with both East and West offerings - corn dog or gyoza, California wrap or spicy tuna roll, chili cheese dog or chicken teriyaki, curly fries or scallop roll. - JJ

Lobster House

711 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253.471.8982
At the Lobster House in Tacoma's International District a range of Chinese dishes can be had; radish cakes, congee (rice porridge), chicken feet, salt and pepper squid, chow mein, walnut prawns, hum bao, chow fun and the hot ticket item of the moment: dim sum. Think of dim sum as small meat and vegetable filled pouches, or even simpler as Chinese dumplings. - JJ

Macau Casino Restaurant

9811 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood, 253.983.1777
Chef King Heun Wai, who has won local and national awards, and who has repeatedly been distinguished as one of America's top 100 Chinese Chefs, and who has earned House of Hong in Seattle's Chinatown a place on King 5's Best of Western Washington list of the top five Chinese restaurants, now brings his talent and more than 30 years of experience to Lakewood's Macau Casino as executive chef. The Chinese menu has 87 different items. - JJ

The Green Coconut Tree

8813 Edgewater Dr. SW, Lakewood, 253.473.4444.\
The tiny joint serves Chinese, Vietnamese and ... yes a full complement of Jamaican cuisine. Green Coconut Tree is a casual restaurant with simple furnishings and minimal décor. Two flat screen televisions on either wall had me mesmerized like staring into a fire. The place was clean, and we were given cloth napkins - a nice, unexpected touch.  - JJ

Shanghai House

1126 Commerce St., Tacoma 253.627.1859
Shanghai House opened in April 2009. We give Shanghai big props on portion sizes, for sure. The food is average. Read our review here. - Jake and Jason de Pauls

Three Sisters Tacoma Szechuan

9601 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood, 253.581.0102
Folks, this is as real as it gets around here. Chinese (Sichuan) with a huge menu, well over a hundred options, and the portions are big and the flavors fresh. Their idea of a starter soup is more trough-like than cup. Crispy pork & tofu with hot tomato sauce, hot pepper fried shredded potato, eggplant in hot garlic sauce - they excel in hot and spicy. Thin, marinated lamb strips had a bit of fat, giving the dish a bump in richness. Quite tender meat gave easily at tooth touch. White onion and green and red bell peppers made up half the dish. Plentiful dried chili pepper pods were carefully avoided after a first blind forkful nearly made my head explode. - Ron Swarner

LINK: Eating in the Year of the Dragon

SO. MUCH. FOOD. >>>

On Thursday, Jan. 12, 25 dedicated foodies and Weekly Volcano peeps gathered at Café Banana in Lakewood to sample an eye-opening variety of curry dishes and colorful cocktails. From a Massaman lamb curry to roasted chicken Kulumar to classic Penang, green and red curries, the choices were diverse, ample and delicious. It was an enormous amount of food. Many Nosh Leaguers took home piles of curry.

Proprietor Tony Wen provided a curry history lesson, noting trade routes and spice variations.

Accompany the five curry dishes and curry puffs, Wen poured very strong mango vodka slushies and blue rum drinks.

As the gathering wound up, attendees signed up for their Nosh League newsletter, gathered their raffle prizes and slowly moved toward the door. We're talking a lot a food.

Keep your eye out for future Nosh League events organized by the Weekly Volcano. Also, please rate the restaurants in our South Sound Restaurant Guide.

[Cafe Banana, 10115 S. Tacoma way, Lakewood, 253.589.4678]

LINK: More photos from Café Banana Nosh League event

LINK: Learn about Nosh League

OVER THE WEEKEND >>>

I ran into red Saturday night in downtown Tacoma.

The Mix

Dungeon Science at Hell's Kitchen

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

What's a Wednesday night without a little chaos? More to the point, what's a Wednesday night without rock and roll run through the wringer? California's punk and bluegrass band Old Man Markley joins our area's Celtic punk rockers The Fun Police - with a dash of The Shivering Denizens and Ando Ehlers Chaos Death Polka - for a $5 show at The Backstage Bar and Grill. For this show, that's cheap - just the way rock and roll likes it.

Expect an eclectic, memorable night. 

[Backstage Bar and Grill, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 8 p.m., $5, 6409 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.564.0149]

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Flood Warning: The South Sound is on alert through Thursday. (News Tribune)

Lincoln High Alum Jon Kitna Returned To His Alma Mater To Teach: He's a tough teacher who will stand behind the desk to take a hit and has the respect of his fellow teachers. He has/had a good eraser arm and isn't afraid to take chances. (News Tribune)

The Four Lunchers: The Puyallup City Hall has concerns over their Bromance. (News Tribune)

Thurston County Snow: It messed up budgets. (News Tribune)

If You Care: Mitt Romney made $42.7 million over the past two years and paid $6.2 million in taxes. (CNN)

Oscar Nominees Announced: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced its nominees for the 84th Annual Academy Awards. Among the best picture nominees are The Artist, War Horse and Hugo. (CNN)

"The Confrontational Amsterdam Hooker" Is Now Cool: Google+ relaxes real name policy to allow pseudonyms. (BBC)

Flying To The North Pole?: Watch Out! Solar storm's effects to lash Earth through Wednesday. (BBC)

Smell Like The Hulk: Avengers cologne is here. (Moviefone)

Could Happen At Starbucks Now: Slurring man insists on ordering a tortilla with beans and lots of mustard. (Reuters)

Southern Man: Vedder to tour solo. (Billboard)

Beard Necessities: Disney employees can now grow facial hair. (CBS News)

Sucks If You Are Seated On The Side