SOTA INTERN REPORT >>>

Friday, I caught the 400 Bus from Puyallup to Downtown Tacoma to meet with fellow Tacoma School of the Arts students. Besides the school, we share dependence on Pierce Transit. The topic of our roundtable was the defeat of the Prop 1 measure and the resulting outcomes.

"It is going to be a hassle for people trying to get to and from work," says Leah. "I work on the weekends."

The people around her nodded in agreement. A shared concern was the 34 percent reduction in service beginning in Septemeber, including the reduction of weekend Pierce Transit bus service.

"It is also hard for the disabled people who can't drive," Leah continued.

"What about the elderly?" asked another student. "Most just like to take the bus to the supermarket to shop on weekends."

Passengers aren't the only people affected by the defeat of Prop 1. Many Pierce Transit employees will be losing their jobs in September when the budget cuts go into effect. One student said, "If you know you won't have a job why work? I would just quit."

Sadly, that's the plan for many bus drivers.

My friend Emma McCrummen expressed her frustration about her bus being cut. "My route will be cut because of Prop. 1. My only way to downtown is gone. And that is a big issue - especially for SOTA and UWT students who live out of district, like myself. With the times changed and routes cut most students have no way to get to school on time."

As of now frustrated bus riders are complaining and trying to get the word out to find ways to lessen the oncoming blow.

A What's next for Transit? panel discussion will be held at noon Thursday, Jan. 24 inside the UWT Carwein Auditorium about the future of public transportation in Tacoma.

LINK: Hi, I'm Mckenna. I'm a student at the Tacoma School of the Arts. Thanks for following my Daily Trip

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comment of the day comes from Jon in response to the Weekly Volcano's intern Mckenna's story on how the failure of the Pierce Transit Prop 1 measure will make it harder for students to get to school.

Jon writes,

Those in decent physical condition can always ride a bicycle as an alternative and get rain gear (there are inexpensive bike rain capes at Amazon). However this won't work in ice or snow days on the road of which fortunately are few in numbers. Myself, I obtained a Veltop (Classic + model) windshield, top cover with vinyl transparent side curtains to ride most of the year on a bicycle without getting wet (although with this particular bicycle accessory I also can't ride during times of high winds either). Riding with my Veltop is far more pleasant than riding with a rain cape but it is also much more expensive and bulky.

Another alternative is to get a under 30 mph gas powered scooter (used perhaps $750 or so) as this doesn't require a motorcycle endorsement. (I think that no insurance is required too though I am not sure of this.)

The physically disabled Pierce Transit users will be hurt the most by cutbacks, though.

MONDAY, JAN. 21 2013 >>>

1. Back in November, Weekly Volcano reported Guy Fieri was cruising his red convertible through the South Sound, filming his Food Network show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and making stops in Tacoma, Puyallup and Olympia. Passersby on the day filming went down at Darby's Cafe in Olympia barely grabbed peeks of Fieri's spikey hair through Darby's window. Tonight you may grab a full view of his hair and that day's action when the Capitol Theater hosts the televised premiere of "Hometown Haunts" — the epsiode that includes Fieri's visit to Darby's Cafe. The night kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a screening of the documentary I Like Killing Flies about a famous New York diner. A raffle will also take place, including gift certificates to local restaurants. "Hometown Haunts" airs at 10 p.m. on the West Coast. The Capitol Theater will show the 7 p.m. East Coast feed on its big screen. Admission is $5 or two cans of food. All proceeds benefit the Thurston County Food Bank.

2. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Find out what's going on in our Martin Luther King Jr. Day Command Center. Of note: The city of Tacoma's 11 a.m. MLK Day celebration at the Tacoma Convention Center will also feature a photography exhibit from Bernard Kliena, a "Walk Through History" exhibit from Mark Anthony Smith and an opportunity to interact with more than 20 city departments and city funded community service providers.  Also, Tacoma Public Library's StoryLab will be on-site interviewing celebration attendees about how Dr. King's legacy has impacted them.

3.The Mailhot Quartet will perform at 8 p.m. at The Royal Lounge in Olympia. The quartet is Ariel Calabria and Joe Mailhot on guitar/bass, Drew Gibbs on piano and Steven Bentley on drums. They will play primarily original material from Calabria and Mailjot.

4. Steve Cooley & The Dangerfields will fill The Swiss with rockin' blues beginning at 8 p.m. The band features Johnny Burgess on keyboards, Rich Nesbitt on bass, Glenn Hummel on drums and, of course, Steve Cooley on guitar.

5. Every Monday at 9 p.m. Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Expect $2 PBR drafts, $3 Sinfire shots, $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

LINK: Monday, Jan. 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

GO LOCAL >>>

Monday, Jan. 28, Go Local's annual event Shift Happens 2013 will fill the Greater Tacoma Convention Center with local businesses, celebrating and reveling in the fact that Tacoma loves all things local.

And what's not to love? Tacoma's local business scene is rad.

Shift Happens is designed to give said local businesses a place to network, connect and grow, but also to get you - yes, you, every day citizens! - out to eat and drink local products, as well as tour booths representing local businesses. More than 100 local businesses of all stripes will be out in force. By day, the event includes the vendors-only Business to Business session, as well as Smart Lab that's free for vendors and $10 for the public.

After 4 p.m., the vendor showcase welcomes in everyone to experience the awesomeness that is the local business scene. At 6:15 p.m., the main event takes to the stage, including Go Local handing out their three annual Indie Awards for this year's Advocacy Champion, Community Steward, and Entrepreneurial Empowerment. Mayor Marilyn Strickland will also round up the night with her State of the City address.

This year, attendees also have a special announcement to look forward to - the date for when the new Loyalty Rewards program will launch. This program will allow customers to get rewards points at participating local businesses.

"We're drawing attention from regional chambers of commerce," says Go Local coordinator Patricia Lecy-Davis. "The mayor of Sammamish will be there. They're pretty excited about what we've done with Go Local and they see us as the leaders in the Northwest area of Go Local programs. They're looking to start one and implement rewards, so they're coming to see what we're doing at Shift Happens."

Shift Happens 2013 is free and open to the public, but organizers request an RSVP.

Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, Monday, Jan. 28, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Business to Business, 2:30-4 p.m. Business Smart Lab, 4-6:15 p.m. local vendor showcase, 6:15 p.m. Shift Happens program, 7-8 p.m. prize giveaways, free admission, $10 for Business Smart Labs, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma, tacomashifthappens.com

LINK: Shift Happens 2013 schedule of events

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

Spencer Abersold, a.k.a. The Walrus, sat before the KGHP radio station console for 200 hours - nine days - attempting to beat the Guinness Book of World Record's previous continuous broadcasting record of 187 hours. 

"I didn't lose my voice," he Abersold, "but I did go crazy."

What Abersold also did was raise $16,000 for the radio station, which is inside Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor. KGHB's funds were on the chopping block after being supported by the school district for 23 years. 

"After the buzz got going and people realized their radio station was at stake, the community got together and made sure it persevered," he adds.

Another $2,000 was raised from Abersold's "Sound to Summit" walk, where he attempted to walk from Owen Beach to Mount Rainier.

The efforts of Abersold and other community supporters brought in much needed money for new equipment and operating costs for the radio station.

Abersold explained the old setup was like building a car and using Volkswagen, Mercedes and Ford parts all rolled into one - all the equipment was either donated or salvaged.

"Now," he says, "it's like a Chevy Camaro with a Hemi."

KGHP 89.3/93.7FM invites the public to tour the studio, check out equipment, and maybe even get your voice on the air Saturday afternoon. 

KGHP STUDIO, SATURDAY, JAN 26, 11 A.M. TO 4 P.M., 14105 PURDY DR., NW, GIG HARBOR, 253.857.3589

WE TALK ABOUT NUTS >>>

AmeRAWcan Bistro does things with their nuts you wouldn't believe. Who knew you could make really really thin pancakes out of cashews? Or take one look at an enchilada filled with seasoned walnut meat and not run screaming to the nearest Azteca?

But there's more to them than magical nuts. They're also really into juicing - and, no, I'm not suggesting they're hiding hypodermic needles behind their stock of local, organic products. They juice fruits and vegetables, and so does Dave the Raw Food Trucker.

Dave Conrardy, also known as Dave the Raw Food Trucker, isn't actually a trucker anymore - which is good news for you because now he's free Saturday, Jan. 26 to hang out at AmeRAWcan Bistro and tell you his story. And lemme tell you, it's a pretty amazing story.

I'm about to get serious on you.

Three years ago, Conrardy was dying. Yes, technically we're all dying, but Conrardy was facing obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and kidney disease. As a last-ditch effort to turn things around before insulin and the end of his truck-driving career, he convinced his doctor to let him try this weird raw food juicing thing he read about. Turns out it isn't so weird. OK, it may be weird, but only in the best most miraculous way possible.

Conrardy, 55, who lives in the Pacific Northwest, is a new man, and he travels the world sharing the miracles of a raw, organic and vegan diet.

"I never would have believed this was possible, but it is the happiest time of my life," Conrardy says in an article by Beth Davis in Natural Awakenings. "I'm so grateful to be alive that I want to show others the possibilities of the best healing diet on the planet."

Convinced you should check it out? Did I mention there will also be smoothie and juice samples? Fifteen dollars gets you in the door for the samples and two hours of Conrardy, who seems like a pretty cool dude. Afterward, I challenge you to stay for lunch and see for yourself how they handle their nuts.

AMERAWCAN BISTRO, SATURDAY, JAN. 26, 9-11 A.M., $15, 745 ST. HELENS AVE., TACOMA, 253.327.1962

THIS JUST IN >>

MyNorthwest.com reports that Tacoma City Councilman Ryan Mello was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving late Saturday night.

A Tacoma City Councilman was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Saturday night but the Washington State Patrol said he didn't try to use his political position to get him out of the situation.

Councilman Ryan Mello smelled like alcohol when he was pulled over, driving a car full of passengers, according to WSP trooper Guy Gill.

The trooper asked Mello to step out of his car and ran him through field sobriety tests. The trooper determined that he was impaired and put him under arrest for driving under the influence.

Not good.

WE SCENE IT >>>

Jeanne Hopkins, the singer and songwriter better known as simply Jeanlizabeth, plays host to an open mic every Sunday night at Steilacoom Pub and Grill. The night has become a playground for musicians to tinker and receive feedback from their peers. It's almost a guarantee to hear a mix of punk rock songs on a ukulele, indie covers and folk originals every Sunday. In addition to the talent, the Steilacoom Pub open mic will occasionally be blessed with a random drunk strummer or sheet music reader making it one of the more entertaining music nights in the South Sound.

I dropped by the Steilacoom Pub last night to snap a few shots.

LINK: More photos from Sunday's open mic in Steilacoom

LINK: All-ages open mics

TUESDAY, JAN. 22 2013 >>>

1. It's Tuesday, which means another bonus film will be screened at The Grand Cinema. Today's film is The Other Son, the story of 18-year-old Joseph, of Tel Aviv, who signs up for his Israeli army service, he's given a blood test — and some shocking news: He's not his parents' biological child. In the chaos of being born the night in 1991 when the Iraqis lobbed Scud missiles at Israel, baby Joseph was accidentally switched with baby Yacine, an Arab boy. Yacine grows up in the occupied West Bank, the successful son of proud working-class parents. Discover what happens next at1:30 and 8:15 p.m.

2. The work of longtime Tacoma artist and educator Bill Colby is featured in a new exhibition at the Tacoma Public Library's Handforth Gallery at the downtown Main Library. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

3. Forty-five years ago John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised black-gloved fist in the air and the whole world took note. That image remains indelible even today. The event was the Olympics in Mexico City. Smith had won the gold medal in the 200 meter race and Carlos had won bronze. They mounted the victory stand and raised their fists in a black power salute as a statement about how far the United States still had to go in its struggle for full civil rights. It was one of the most overtly political statements ever made in the Olympics. Carlos and Smith were called heroes by some, traitors by others. at 7 p.m., in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day John Carlos will give a free talk at University of Puget Sound Schneebeck Concert Hall. The evening will include comments by local and campus leaders and music by Navele Davis and Friends. A reception and a book signing by Carlos, author of The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World, will follow. Tickets are not required. Read Alec Clayton's interview with John Carlos in the Weekly Volcano's Arts section.

4. Located in the heart of Tacoma's Sixth Avenue, Metronome's open mic is where you will see old Sears/Roebuck guitars and tight corduroy pants. A very dynamic open mic, you will hear a wide variety of music, and will be among an attentive audience of listeners. Hosted every Tuesday from 7 p.m. until closing, Metronome Coffee is a great place to spend your midweek night out and enjoy some great coffee.

5. Tacoma Cabana tiki bar will host the Geeks Who Drinks trivia game at 8 p.m. The game consists of eight rounds of eight questions and is played in teams of up to six people. Questions are read aloud by the quizmaster; teams write their answers on provided sheets and turn them in at the end of each round. The team with the most points after eight rounds is the winner. Read Pappi Swarner's interview with Quizmaster Holland Hume on the Weekly Volcano's blog, Spew.

LINK: Tuesday, Jan. 22 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LEARNING IN THE DARK >>>

In the most remote regions of world, where ice caps the size of large cities are rapidly changing, sloughing off chunks, creating rippling avalanches of snow and ice, and ultimately changing life as we know it, National Geographic's James Balog was in the thick of it, risking his life to document the breathtaking landscape shifting before his eyes - and his 25 camera lenses - creating a time-lapse of three year's worth of devastation.

Wish you were there to see it?

A close runner-up to actually being there would to see the spectacle surrounded by warmth with a bag of kick ass popcorn. Balog's Chasing Ice, the film that Huffington Post declares "hauntingly beautiful," will screen at 5 p.m. Saturday during the 9th Annual Olympia Documentary Film Festival at the Capitol Theater.

The weekend long festival screens seven other documentaries including Reel Injun, a look at the evolution of the depiction of First Nations people; Crazy Wisdom, about the bad boy of Buddhism; Detropia, about the woes of Detroit; Bones Brigade, documenting the lives of six skateboarders in the '80s followed by special musical guests Big Business; The Invisible War, about the rape of soldiers within the U.S. military; The Waiting Room, that goes behind the doors of American hospitals and Samsara, a non-verbal guided meditation that will transform viewers.

True to Olympia and the nature of the festival, each handpicked film is compelling, controversial, eye opening and adventurous.

For more information and a complete list of show times, click here.

CAPITOL THEATER, FRIDAY, JAN 25-SUNDAY, JAN 27, TIMES VARY, $8.50, $5.50 OLYMPIA FILM SOCIETY MEMBER, $25-$35 FILM PASSES, 206 FIFTH AVE. SE, OLYMPIA, 360.754.6670