NIBBLING AROUND THE GARDEN HOES >>>

The Tacoma Home and Garden Show may or may not be your idea of a hootin' and hollerin' good time. But, let me tell you, whether you're looking for some new roofing material, a cool hose, beautiful greenery or some professional landscaping services to set up that greenery, there are vendors to help you achieve your homestead goals.

Yesterday, I dropped in one the massive tradeshow inside the Tacoma Dome. The show offers ideas for home improvements that I hadn't considered.

They also have grub.

Now granted, if you find yourself hungry at the convention you're stuck with the onsite McKinley's Grill. Not a bad choice but nothing special. You'll also find a snack bar with the usual suspects such as hot dogs, burgers and popcorn items.

However, if you're looking to get your green thumbs on some delectable bites on the home front, The Tacoma Home and Garden Show has a few foodie finds.

My first discovery was Chris's Country Essence - the place to "bee." Located just a jump away in Puyallup, Chris is all about the bee. Though the booth featured honey-infused hair and skin products, there is also a lovely assortment of honeys available. I snagged a jar of amber hued pumpkin honey for a measly $13.

For the carnivorous Sissy's Specialty Food out of Centralia has elk, alligator, turkey and beef jerky, as well as a plethora of pepperoni sticks available. Sissy's chipotle flavor packed a punch that stayed with me during my entire visit.

Though less local than some of the other vendors, Seattle based OMG Olive Oils sported a lovely assortment of dipping oils of the balsamic and olive oil variety.

A double threat to your taste buds was A Taste of Eden. Its booth looked like two separate entities. The first half featured fresh baked breads such as strawberry rhubarb, banana bread and more. I settled on a loaf of blackberry fudge bread ($8). Um yea! Once home, I tore open the bag and dove into the sweet, moist morsel with its aroma of fresh blackberries and rich chocolate. Hello bread, good-bye waist.

The other half of A Taste of Eden's booth featured its line of Olive Branch infused dipping oils and seasonings. I scooped up a small bottle of its habanero infused olive oil. I'm bringing the heat to future meals.

You will also run across Garlic Gourmay and its wide variety of garlic seasonings and jars of pickled garlic and olives. The GG puts tasty spins on traditional food items such like habanero-pickled garlic and jalapeno stuffed olives.

So there you have it. Home and garden shows aren't just for tool freaks.

TACOMA DOME, TACOMA HOME AND GARDEN SHOW, 11 A.M. TO 8 P.M. FRIDAY, JAN. 25, 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. SATURDAY, JAN. 26, 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M., SUNDAY, JAN. 27, $10 ADULTS, $8 SENIORS, 16 AND YOUNGER FREE, $16 TWO-DAY PASS, 2727 E. D ST., TACOMA, OTSHOWS.COM/THS

SATURDAY, JAN. 26 2013 >>>

1. We couldn't think of a better way to spend a winter night than on a hot date with ourselves listening to loud rock and roll and watching tough-as-nails roller derby chicks knocking each other on their ass.Beginning at 6 p.m.  will be spent cheering on Dockyard Derby Dames characters such as Brat Capone, Booty Trapp, Ethel Vermin, Stranger Danger, Jail Bait Kait, Ida Spyze-Her and Harm A Knee inside the Pierce College Health education Center. Tonight's expo bout features members of all four DYDD teams competing against the Rainy City Roller Dolls and the Rat City Rollergirls' Sockit Wenches in a double-header smackdown.

2. Today marks the opening of the action-packed exhibit "Let's Ride! Motorcycling the Northwest" at the Washington State History Museum. Displayed through June 2013, the exhibit - a celebration of the region's never-waning motorcycle culture - will include interactive exhibits, videos and impressive displays of machines from 1906 to the 21st century. It's open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. 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. 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. 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. 

4. The Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Tacoma preserves the artifacts and history of the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry - all-African-American cavalry units that served in America's wars from 1866 through the end of WWII. They participated in cross-country cattle drives, escorted wagon trains and stagecoaches through often volatile territories of the Wild West and fought in the Spanish-American War and both world wars. The museum was founded by Buffalo Soldier William Jones of Tacoma. From noon to 4 p.m. the Buffalo Soldiers Museum will host its first open house, welcoming everyone in to learn and explore. Local poet Elijah Muied will be on tap with a reading of a work inspired by the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Muied's poems have been published in "Threads" and he has showcased his work at his own open mic events as well as multi-poet happenings such as Hope in Hard Times at WSHM. There will also be refreshments and tours of the museum. The open house is free.

5. Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless is a weekend long extravaganza of music, poetry and social work. Olympia's homeless population is invited to come get clothes, toiletries, haircuts, food and other social services. While at the event, they are given one of the best hip-hop shows in Washington state.  This year you can catch Afrok and The Movement, Xperience, Motamouth Jones, Free Ya Mind, 206-Zulu, Heretic and others, plus the 25360 Awards at the Olympia Ballroom. It begins at 6 p.m.

PLUS: Tacoma Home & Garden show and the Westside Tavern Bash in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Saturday, Jan. 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympi area

Parenting saves lives. Punk rock saves lives also. Combining these two forces can make for a uniquely fun and enriching experience for kids and parents alike. As part of our South Sound Sidekick series Cameron Clearwater of the band Electric Falcons, and father to two daughters and a stepson, has parenting advice for punk rockers. 

Cameron Clearwater writes,

Punk rock parents already have a leg up in the "cool" department because they are typically younger than most other parents in any given child's age group. Why this is should be somewhat obvious. This narrower gap in age often means said parents are more likely to be in tune with what's going on with the youth of today. At least we would like to think so. Here are some tips on keeping the family stoked and allowing the kids to keep THEIR cred.

Don't try and force your child to love the Melvins. By all means make underground music available to them via your normal listening routine at home or cruising around town and whatnot. Just remember that your parents' Jethro Tull or Lawrence Welk albums or whatever is partially responsible for your first mohawk. The younger ones are more impressionable and eager to please but I guarantee if you try and strongly impose Black Flag on any tween or teen you will hear nothing but Skrillex blasting from their room for months. And NEVER bombard them with your own band. Give them a nudge in the right direction and access to your music collection and they will come around. Or not. This also goes with attire and style. After all, the essence of punk rock is individual personal expression.

Prepare well-rounded nutritional meals daily and try to include at least one green vegetable per meal. Just because you can thrive living in a van for weeks, as well as getting by on a strict diet of dollar menu Taco Bell and PBR, doesn't mean your kids can. They shouldn't anyway. The kiddos need brain food for homework and strong bodies for future mosh pit stamina.

If you are musically inclined, don't try and be the fucking Punk Rock Partridge Family. Most likely your gear has already been trashed by you way harder than what any kid could do to it. Let 'em have at it. If they wanna rock, you will know. I got my oldest daughter a small acoustic guitar that was mostly a fun prop that bounced around for years. She got into cello in school and became good at teaching herself basic piano stuff. Now, at 14, she has an electric guitar and is killing it! Show them a bar chord and hope that they don't ask for more or your cover is blown.

Do your best to make it FUN for everyone and raise those kids right. They will be changing your diapers before you know it. Most likely they are also your retirement plan because we all know Punk Rock pays no bills. Now if you will excuse me, my favorite Rihanna, err, I mean Nirvana song is coming on and I have dishes and laundry to attend to.

Over and out.

GO DEEPER: Electric Falcons charged up over new projects

LINK: How to improve your photography skills

LINK: Get fit the Dungeons and Dragons way

LINK: Roommate advice

LINK: Marijuana smoking advice

LINK: How to harvest geoducks

LINK: Music business advice

LINK: First tattoo advice

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LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

The Acme Grub Cage Tacoma - Downtown. Mos Generator, C.F.A. 7:30 pm. $5.

• About to tear off to tour Europe, self-proclaimed "'70's rock preservationists" Mos Generator will give us a glimpse into its rock 'n' roll fantasy Saturday with C.F.A. at The Acme Grub Cage. Making 20 stops across 11 countries, Mos Generator - together with doom metal band Saint Vitus - will share its riff-laden, Sabbath-induced rock with the world. - Nikki McCoy
  

Capitol Theater Olympia - Downtown. Big Business. All Ages. 9:30 pm. $8-$10.

• Big Business is about business. The band - comprised of members from Karp, Murder City Devils and 400 Blows - is busy. It's in the heat of its Northwest tour. Jared Warren and Coady Willis split their time performing with the Melvins, and running their own label in L.A. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on Big Business in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

Charlie's Sports Bar & Grill Olympia - downtown. Trees and Timber, The All Night Sunshine Band. 9 pm.

C.I. Shenanigans Tacoma - Northend. KC Brakes presents pop folk rock night. All Ages. 7-10 pm. NC.

Classic Winemakers Olympia - Downtown. KAOS Benefit and wine tasting with Jenny Jenkins and Elbow Coulee. 7:30-10 pm. $5.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Ethan Tucker Band. 9 pm. NC.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. Kim Archer, 7's Revenge. 9 pm. $5.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Randy Hansen's Tribute To Jimi Hendrix. 8 pm.

Kitzel's Crazy Delicious Deli Olympia - Downtown. Music Is The Bridge. 6:30-9 pm.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Twerk It Circuit Part III, with LaFraicheur, RJ.Nil, Sly Cooper. 9 pm. $5.

Louie G's Pizzeria Fife. Oaklawn, The Rikk Beatty Band, Late September Dogs. All Ages. 8 pm.

Lucky Eagle Casino Rochester. Broken Trail. 9 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. People Under The Sun, Not From Brooklyn, The Harvey Girls. 9 pm. $5.

• James Jenkins is a singer/songwriter who's been on the scene in Tacoma for quite some time. Whether in his own band (Mama Loves Daddy), or as former keyboardist in Umber Sleeping (now known as I Like Science), Jenkins has been known for creating music that nods to '60s and '70s psych, but cuts a path all its own. His latest project, People Under the Sun, is his most daring to date. Bringing more or less a metric ton of vintage synthesizers with them to every performance, People Under the Sun access the kind of carnival-psych of people like Syd Barrett, while still dipping into the sort of analog synth-rock of bands like the Buggles and Thomas Dolby. The result is heavily orchestrated pop music that only looks easy. — Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Northern Pacific Coffee Co. Tacoma - Parkland. The Frosted Hearts, Stripe Valley Sway, The North Oakes Project. All Ages. 8 pm.

Oldschool Pizzeria Olympia - Downtown. Popular Culture, Cairo Pythian, Chrome Windows, Uwe 60D, DJ Geniefactory. All Ages. 10 pm. $5 suggested donation.

The Olympia Ballroom Olympia - Downtown. Hip-Hop For The Homeless Benefit Weekend, with Afrok & The Movement, Speaker Minds, XP, Motamouth Jones, 206 Zulu, Free Ya Mind, Heretic, DJ Berry, DJ Iceman, DJ Slimrock, DJ Seabefore, hosted by DJ Luvva J, Formula Boogie. All Ages. 5 pm. $5 & donation of clean clothing, blankets, jackets.

Rock the Dock Pub & Grill Tacoma - Downtown. Champagne Sunday. 9 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Red. 9 pm.

The Royal Lounge Olympia - Downtown. E-40, with Cool Nutz, Cauze N Efekt, Motamouth Jones, Free whiskey, Sky Hatter, Mr. Twist, DJ Contagious. 7 pm. $25.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Blues Cousins. 8 pm.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Uncle Bonsai, The Righteous Mothers. 16+, 5 and 8 pm. $30-$60.

• Uncle Bonsai is the real deal. Filed most often under "folk" the original trio of Ashley O'Keeffe, Andrew Ratshin and Arni Adler made more than 200 original songs and toured like mad before taking an extended hiatus beginning in the very late 1980s. Then, in March 2008, the Bonsai came back. Maybe it was a change in the air, or maybe the world called for more beautifully weird storytellers to join the chorus. Whatever. The angelic voice of local legend Patrice O'Neill replaced O'Keeffe and the Zappa meets Peter, Paul and Mary crossbred was back. Saturday, Uncle Bonsai teams with feisty The Righteous Mothersfor two shows at Traditions Fair Trade and Cafe in Olympia. All proceeds go to providing free therapy for sexually abused children and their families at Monarch Children's Justice and Advocacy Center. - Weekly Volcano
  

Westside Tavern Olympia - Westside. One-Year Anniversary Bash featuring Vaughn Johannes. 8 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

HOW TWEET IT IS >>>

Whether you've been on Twitter since its beginnings in 2006 or you're a Twitter neophyte, you know keeping up on important tweets can be overwhelming. If you follow everything and everyone that you find interesting, you can end up with hundreds and hundreds of Tweets showing up in your feed on a daily basis.

Don't despair. Every Saturday the Weekly Volcano shares important and pointless Tweets from South Sound Twitter accounts, and sometimes beyond, so you may stay on top of sinking boats, full bladder bandits and taco news - as well as the latest action on the streets.

Tacoma News Tribune: Former Mary Bridge nurse sentenced to prison for hiring hit man to kill husband bit.ly/10UFV0i #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) January 26, 2013

one must wonder how many taco joints run by matriarchal women exist in Tacoma, WA. #tacoMA

— we are unfortunate (@unfortunatus) January 26, 2013

Dock Street Sandwich Co. closing bit.ly/Y4WAtA #tacoma

— Adrienne (@TacomaFoodie) January 26, 2013

Hey #tacoma, don't forget the FREE community event this Sunday @tacomaartmuseum Northwest Native Community Celebration! 10am-4pm

— Tobin Eckholt (@TobinEckholt) January 25, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Court sets aside 2 of Casey Anthony's convictions bit.ly/10JNRN2 #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) January 25, 2013

I have three professional professional meetings booked for @1022south in the next week. I feel good about this?

— Katy (@katynicoud) January 25, 2013

I am going to be the first person who has ever said this after leaving Trader Joe's: That cost a lot less than I thought it would.

— Kenny Coble (@kennycoble) January 25, 2013

Woke up this AM & saw 2 boats sank in the Hylabos, was terrified one of them might have been the Kalakala. Thankfully not. Whew. #Tacoma

— @602Sounder (@602Sounder) January 25, 2013

On the Blog: What should bus riders expect from Olympia? “Not much.” bit.ly/SMo08q #Tacoma #Transit

— Chris Karnes (@TacomaTransit) January 25, 2013

I parked my car around some whales, nothing out of the usual #downtown #tacoma #tactown #Whales instagr.am/p/U414lghXXv/

— Ulises Leiva (@Dodger_That_Uli) January 25, 2013

why it is important to you that The Grand raise the funds we need to transition to digital. #tacoma #indiecinema youtube.com/watch?v=7kIPZB…

— Grand Cinema (@GrandCinema) January 25, 2013

Police arrest man who broke into, damaged Umpqua Bank near #tacoma, including broken computers and urine on counters patch.com/A-1wv5

— Gig Harbor Patch (@GHarborPatch) January 24, 2013

i refuse to apologize for the topless photo of me that appeared on the internet. the media furor about it indicates our sexual immaturity.

— Daniel Rahe (@danrahe) January 24, 2013

Last five minutes: man with black eye, prostitute, lady with completely tattooed face, and plenty of women who can't walk in heels. #tacoma

— Nikeesha Nath (@missnikeesha) January 24, 2013

I dont care how ratchet you say my city is, i still rep it to the fullest #Tacoma

— Sokhavy Hilton (@SokhavyHilton) January 24, 2013

Legal pot in Washington: What it should look like bit.ly/10sbkSS #tacoma

— TNT opinion page (@tntopinion) January 23, 2013

Hmmm…maybe it is time to consider moving to the middle of the country or the East Coast - out of the range of crazy North Korean dictators

— Rob McNair-Huff (@RobMcNairHuff) January 24, 2013

I just ran around the back yard in my knee high mucking boots, pajama bottoms and no shirt. While necessary ... I've become THAT neighbor.

— Derek Young (@DerekYoung) January 23, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Term II: US must help poor, elderly, Obama says bit.ly/Tbj2mU #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) January 21, 2013

Wow the most hipster place I've ever been to #1022south #tacoma amazing drinks and food #lovedit #toohipsterthough

— Caitlin Crompe (@CaitlinCrompe) January 21, 2013

I just saw Tacoma on TV Japan (NHK)! Kind if cool! #Japan #Tacoma

— steven schafer (@stevosrs) January 20, 2013

We're on Instagram now. Give us a follow and then tell us how to be interesting. instagram.com/p/Ut5X8yr72c/

— King's Books (@kingsbooks) January 20, 2013

Tacoma News Tribune: Tacoma ice rink set to return despite dip in use bit.ly/13S9vSO #tacoma

— The News Tribune (@tacomaupdates) January 20, 2013

Why commute to #Seattle, when you can work in #Tacoma? buff.ly/XjLvBV

— Krystle Michie (@KrystleMichie) January 19, 2013

Follow the Weekly Volcano on Twitter. Because otherwise we're coming to your house, and while we will bring wine, we will not, under any circumstances, take off our shoes.

IT'S HAPPENING IN THE 25360 >>>

Did ya vote or nominate anyone for the 25360 Awards? Well, DJ Luvva J will be announcing the winners and awarding certificates tonight at the 11th Annual Hip-Hop 4 the Homeless event at the Olympia Ballroom. This is Olympia's biggest hip-hop event and it is one of the best hip-hop events in Washington state. Some of the nominees from Tacoma are Jon Salt and Motamouth Jones for M.C. of the year; Mr. Melanin and Quietstorm for D.J. of the year; Antonio Edwards for Man of the Year; Leezy Soprano "Playa" for Video of the Year; Jazzbones for Venue of the Year; Fab 5 for Organization of the Year; E's Way for Radio Show of the Year; Golden Oldies and Turntable Treasures for Music Store of the Year; Fish House for Restaurant of the Year and yours truly for Writer/Blogger of the Year. Make sure ya bring canned food, clean clothes, blankets and toiletries to donate.

Tonight also marks another big hip-hop event. Fresh Blends returns to Tacoma, but renamed Fresh Blends Reblended. D.J. Reign, instrumental in the first Fresh Blends five years ago, is the force behind its return. This inaugural edition features Second Family, Dice and The Loop. It hits The Loch's in Tacoma at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 at door.

And Saturday keeps on rollin'. E-40 will perform tonight at The Royal. Presale tickets are $25. Tacoma M.C. Motamouth Jones is scheduled to open. The bill also features Cool Nutz from Portland, XP, Free Whiskey and others.

Sunday, ya can regroup at yo normal spot around 1 p.m. at The Graffiti Garage Cyphers. Peace Family!

LINK: Do you know about Klowns Over Everything?

SUNDAY, JAN. 27 2013 >>>

1. Willian Hellman's The Children's Hour is a long play, close to three hours, and its first hour is depressingly boring. Yet it's easy to see how its daring, few-holds-barred script was a Broadway sensation in 1934 - so much so, in fact, that New York state authorities were willing to forgo a ban on one of its key themes. Two headmistresses who own and operate a private boarding school are accused of having "unlawful sexual conduct," with, as you might expect, disastrous effects on their lives. The catch is they're accused by a student, Mary Tilford, known to have a shaky regard for the truth. There's every reason to believe Mary's lying, and her rich, influential grandmother overreacting, until another student, Rosalie Wells, corroborates her story. The Lakewood Playhouse stages the production at 2 p.m. Afterward, Alec and Gabi Clayton from PFLAG Olympia will host a post-play discussion. Read Christian Carvajal's review of The Children's Hour in the Weekly Volcano's Arts Section.

2. A large percentage of people get married at some point during their lives. Some people, like Newt Gingrich for instance, do it several times. Hopefully soon it will be legal for gay folks to marry too. The fact is, weddings are a big part of our existence. All the more reason to check out the sixth annual South Sound Wedding Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centralia's Great Wolf Lodge. Expect everything from wedding gown and tuxedo models to dancing demonstrations. Pro Tip: If you're South Sound Wedding Show date ditches you for one of the Great Wolf water slides, he's probably not the one. 

3. Everyone likes a good joke and being in on the joke is certainly better than BEING the joke. Well, usually. Certainly, people that take themselves too seriously are a drag and theater people who take themselves too seriously are often insufferable. Thankfully, Tacoma Musical Playhouse not only likes a good joke, with their latest production - The Musical of Musicals, the Musical! by Eric Rockwell and Joanne Bogart - they ARE the joke. TMP's cast embraces the self-deprecating lyrics and dialogue and camps it up for the audience. The production hits the stage at 2 p.m.

4. Best-selling author Darren Shan will read from and sign copies of his new book Zom-B Underground at 3 p.m. inside King's Books. After a zombie outbreak in the UK, B wakes up in a military complex with no memory of the last few months. B has to piece together the new world and find some allies. 

5. Traditions Cafe in Olympia hosts a benefit show for Out of the Woods Family Shelter featuring Back Porch Swing, appetizers, desserts and more at 7 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, Jan. 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, JAN 28 2013 >>>

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

2. John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Paul Newman. Cool, cool cats. And these cool cats wouldn't suckle off the Wednesday night $1 PBR special. They went for top shelf. Single malt. They went classy. The best of the best. Fortunately for us cool cats in training, Asado of Tacoma has a weeknight happy hour that keeps the classy cocktails at a reasonable price. Every weeknight from 2:30-6 p.m. Asado offers $2 off any of the specialty cocktails and wine, as well as $3 selected food items. Not to mention $1.50 off draft beer. Because even the classiest of us crave some hops from time to time.

3. Monday is typically a black hole for nightlife. Sure, if you run a sports bar, you'll do well during the World Series or football season, but for most eating and drinking establishments, it's just dead, dead, dead. There's a darn good reason why so many bars are empty on Mondays. So how do those that remain open find ways to fill barstools on this, the most dreadful evening of the workweek? The folks at The Swiss seem to have found a solution and, oddly enough, it's one that has been the bane of many other venues: live music. Since the beginning of time, The Swiss has hosted live blues every Monday at 8 p.m. Tonight, guitar legend Jerry Miller will be in the house.

4. Hey! Guess what? Rafael Tranquilino hosts an experimental jam at Stonegate Pizza every Monday night! Get in on the rockin' action tonight.

5. Beginning at 9 p.m. every Monday 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 and $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs.

LINK: Monday, Jan. 28 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

YAY! >>>

Late-night happy hour? Yes, please!

In December 2012 El Gaucho Tacoma quielty extended its happy hour for its regulars to enjoy. It now offers happy hour prices from 4 p.m. to close Sunday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close Friday and 9 p.m. to close Saturday.

For those who have never experienced El Gaucho's happy hour, it's for those who enjoy discounted gourmet food in a dimly-lit, fine-dining atmosphere with live piano music and not a cardboard-crusted pizza delivered by a stoner in a stained shirt in sight.

Food that's fit for a famished autocrat includes the El Gaucho Mignon burger, tuna tartar, wicked shrimp and mac and cheese for $10 each. You must try the chilled sushi-grade Hawaiian ahi tuna becomes a textural juxtaposition to creamy fish flesh and crunchy toasted pine nuts, peppers and onions. The Wicked Shrimp and Tenderloin Diablo are lasting favorites and still on the happy hour menu.

Night-crawlers may toss back discounted liquids such as the tasty blueberry lemondrop for only $6. Happy hour beers and wine range from $4 to $6.

El Gaucho, happy hour 4 p.m. to close Sunday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close Friday, 9 p.m. to close Saturday, 2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1510

LINK: Weekly Volcano Happy Hour App for the South Sound

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

The concept is brilliant: Immediately following the much-loved Daffodil Grand Floral Parade, give parade watchers the various hues of blues sounds that will delight the whole family and, at the same time, all merchants — particularly the restaurants in downtown Tacoma.

Launched in 2008 by the Tacoma Events Commission, the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival will, once again, follow the Daffodil Parade, which will be held Saturday, April 13.

Gary Grape, entertainment manager of the festival and president of the South Sound Blues Association, has released the band lineup. This year's festival will include 15 bands in four venues. The Harmon Brewery & Eatery and Cutters Pointe Coffee will see the early action, followed by the headliners at The Swiss around 4 p.m., then a night show at Stonegate Pizza. Portland's Franco Paletta and the Stingers and local wonderkid Nolan Garrett will anchor the festival. Blues harpest Paletta and his band recently won the Cascade Blues Association's "Journey To Memphis" challenge at the 2012 Waterfront Blue Festival, and the honor comes with the opportunity to represent the association in February at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. Guitarist Garrett won the South Sound Blues Association's Back To Beale Street contest to represent our area at the IBC in Memphis next month. Maybe the two will hook up in Memphis to work on a collaboration for April's festival.

In addition to Paletta and Garrett, other blues musicians scheduled to perform at the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival in April include Paul Green and Straight Shot, Maia Santell and House Blend, Alice Stuart and the Formerlys, The Crazy Texas Gypsies, The Mary McPage Band, Alyx Phippen and others.

Stay tuned for more updates.

LINK: A chat with Nolan Garrett