WEDENSDAY, JAN. 23 2013 >>>

1. Judging by the looks of John and Sherry Petersik of Young House Love blog fame, this annual prompt for spring cleaning - the Tacoma Home & Garden Show - is aiming for the young market. The Petersiks are one of those likable young couples that drives you nuts. Not only are they hopelessly photogenic (and charmingly self-deprecating) but they've managed to turn their love of fixing up their old house into a bankable career. If you're mad about keeping up with the Young Joneses, then this congregation of 750 trendy exhibitors will inflame those covetous inclinations from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome. The popular Vintage Market returns this year as repurposed and shabby-chic items for the garden and home are spotlighted by more than 20 local vendors.

2. It's a busy day for O'Laughlin Trade Shows - the juggernaut behind today's Tacoma Home & Garden Show at the Tacoma Dome, AND the 26th annual Washington Sportsmen's Show and Sport Fishing Boat Show at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Wednesday through Sunday, the Washington Sportsmen's Show will offer the best in dudes wearing flannel and exaggerated fishing stories. But, best of all, check out what's billed as the "one-of-a-kind" indoor "Steelhead River." It's hard to go wrong with an indoor river.Check it from noon to 8 p.m.

3. Vaughn Sherman's career as a fisheries biologist in the Pacific Northwest was cut short when he was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency. Such is life. At 7 p.m. inside the Wheelock Library, Sherman will read and sign his book Sea Travels - Memoirs of 20th Century Master Mariner, the autobiography of Sherman's uncle, J. Holger Christensen.

4. There's a public program tonight at the newly opened Science Dome at Pierce College. At 7:15 p.m. an interactive tour of our current night sky will be explored followed by the 25 minute fulldome movie, Two Small Pieces of Glass, a story about telescopes, Galilean Moons, Saturn's rings and spiral structure of galaxies set to music by the London Symphony Orchestra.

5. The Northern Pacific Coffee Company is the quintessential college hangout. Located on Parkland's Garfield Street - one block away from Pacific Lutheran University - this coffee shop hosts an open mic every Wednesday at 8 p.m. Though much more casual than the other open mics I've mentioned, I have seen incredible talent the last six years. The NPCC also has resident musicians throughout the week that perform traditional jazz music for the regulars. And much like the Antique Sandwich Company, the NPCC features a great selection of food and beverage options.

LINK: Wednesday, Jan. 23 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area