Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: March, 2013 (145) Currently Viewing: 31 - 40 of 145

March 7, 2013 at 7:38am

Comment of the Day: People are going to be living off state government assistance

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comment of the day was from Bethann Garteiz in response to our coverage of Pierce Transits restructuring, including a focus on those with disabilities, tax issues and the public forums.

Garteiz writes,

Nobody likes tax increases; I get that. But thousands of people becoming unemployed all at the same time because they lost their transportation is crushing to the economy of any city. A larger unemployment rate is not a desirable option under any circumstances. The failure of Proposition 1 last November and the subsequent bus cuts means that countless thousands more people in Pierce County are going to be living off state government assistance, and that is going to be much more expensive than simply giving Pierce Transit the reasonable amount that they were asking for. Thinking in terms of short-term savings is easy to do when the economy is rough, like it is now; ignoring the long-term view for the short-term savings is the worst way anybody can base his economic plans on, no matter what the situation is.

March 7, 2013 at 7:47am

5 Things To Do Today: "Lincoln" closes, Danny Bonaduce, Green Drinks, open jam and more ...

"Lincoln": Often somber but hugely entertaining.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7 2013 >>>

1. As you chomped on your big ass turkey leg during your Thanksgiving dinner, The Grand Cinema flicked the switch Steven Spielberg's Lincoln. And sure it's more a long-winded history lecture than a movie, but you can't deny the skill that went into it, and well worth the price of admission just to watch Daniel-Day Lewis do his thing. Today, the Grand will screen Lincoln for the last time at 1:30, 4:55 and 8:05 p.m. The film will finish as the seventh highest grossing film in the history of The Grand, right behind last year's Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and just in front of Juno.

2. Former child star, reality TV vet and now 102.5 KZOK morning shift DJ Danny Bonaduce will hang at the Ale House Sports Pub & Grille's happy hour from 4-6 p.m. shaking hands and handing out Joe Walsh/Bob Seger tickets.

3. Why drink alone when you can get your drink on with cool cats who care about environmental issues? On the first Thursday of each month, Green Drinks invites Tacoma and Pierce County residents to do just that - hang out and chat with other green-minded individuals over drinks and snacks. The next session of Green Drinks - which will be held at 6 p.m. inside the Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe - will focus on community gardens ... and drinks, of course.

4. The 11th annual Sister Cities Film Festival is more than a film festival. It's a cultural exploration of Tacoma's sister cities, of which there are 11 located all around the world. Each Thursday, a film from a sister city lights up the screen of Blue Mouse Theatre - complemented by bonus activities and entertainment. Each week also has its own committee responsible for said entertainment and film selection. Gunsan, South Korea has been Tacoma's sister since 1978 and had a curiously parallel course of development to Tacoma - Gunsan is a port city that boomed in the 1890s due to a rail link, and there is even an American Air Force Base in the vicinity. We're still checking to see if Gunsan has a weekly chalk competition in a park or if Guy Fieri has his Camaro towed down its streets. Anyway, in honor of Gunsan, the film Secret Sunshine will screen at 7 p.m. with a culutral program beginning at 6 p.m.

5. Billy Stoop's open jam consumes Stonegate's Pizza & Rum Bar beginning at 9 p.m. Be sure to sip some La Favorite Ambre Rhum Agricole.

LINK: Thursday, March 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

March 7, 2013 at 8:31am

Outdoor Addict: The Foothills Trail

MCMILLIAN BRIDGE: It's the best spot to jump on The Foothills Trail. Photo credit: Whitney Rhodes

A BREAK FROM THE CITY >>>

So the other day I was enjoying the trails at Point Defiance. They are one of my favorite easy escapes from the city. Plodding along on the trails, mud on my shoes, admiring the first signs of spring, listening to the birds, breathing the fresh air ... ROAAAAAAAAAAR. A Harley rides by on Five Mile Drive. So much for pretending I was out of the city for a while.

This is not a rant on loud motorcycles. Or cars. I have taken that drive many a time and sometimes it's the perfect lunch break. But I was left cranky and wanting out. Sometimes I need to just get out of the city. It doesn't have to be a crazy camp in the middle of nowhere trip. But sometimes I just want to see a cow.  So I set off on a quest to find a place that was close but would be an escape from all that is the city. A place that could be an afternoon getaway and not an all day affair.

I have found one dear reader. Pack your bicycles! Grab the roller blades! Bring the dog and kids! There is a trail with infinite possibilities. The Foothills Trail.

The Foothills Trail is an over 25 mile long trail that largely follows the old rail line. The Foothill Rails-to-Trails coalition has diligently championed the development of this scenic byway and it is a gem in Pierce County. When it is completed, it will link with other trails and you will be able to travel from the shores of Puget Sound in Tacoma, all the way to the foothills in Enumclaw. While not fully completed yet, there are substantial sections done providing miles of recreational opportunity.

My personal favorite spot to get on the trail is the McMillin trailhead. Located adjacent to the historic McMillian bridge just before you get into Orting, this small parking area offers you a two direction choice. Head over the historic railroad trestle bridge and into farmland, or continue towards the adorable town of Orting. Both directions have different pulls for me. On one hand, the farms (cows!) provide that visual escape from the city. On the other, the view of Mt. Rainier as you head into to town is unbelievable. Plus, the Orting Bakery is pretty darn good. If you do bring the kids, downtown Orting has a lovely little park for them to play in. Get some treats at the bakery and let the kids run around like heathens before strapping them back in the stroller. Oh and I've been told the pizza at Route 66 Pizzeria is "freaking amazing." You can start your trail adventure here. But at least for me, when faced with a bakery and pizza or a trail ... well lets just say I'm better when the reward is at the end of the exercise.

The trail is largely flat, mostly paved, and stretches for miles. If you are training for a long distance run or are a bicyclist, believe me it is worth the trip to mix up your routine. REI has built a rest area about halfway between Orting and South Prairie providing a nice place for a picnic. And just because the trail is flat and paved does not mean it's boring. On my recent walk I saw longhorn cattle, emus, woodpeckers, met an adorable puppy that was working on his manners and sat next to a lovely river. What will your next adventure look like?

The Foothills Trail

McMillin and Orting trailheads: From State Highway 167 and/or 512 take the State Highway 410 exit, then take the Orting/Sumner exit which is Route 162. Turn right towards Orting. The McMillin trailhead is on the right directly after the cement bridge at 140th St E. The Orting trailhead is 2.2 miles further on the right located in Orting City Park.

Find Pierce County's trail map here.

March 7, 2013 at 9:26am

Smoking pot at Frankie's Sports Bar in Olympia

FRIENDS OF FRANKIE'S CLUB: Membership has its privileges. Photo credit: Nikki McCoy

WE SCENE IT >>>

Walking upstairs to the Friends of Frankie's Club in Olympia Tuesday night, I have to admit I was a little nervous. I mean, Frankie's Sports Bar & Grill supposedly allows pot smoking in the bar - for a $10 yearly membership fee, of course.

I paid the bartender lady for membership, ordered a beer and stated I was on assignment. She just kind of laughed and told me not to talk to anyone with an eye patch or a cane, and not to smoke near them either.

It seems at Frankie's there is an unspoken divide between the weed smokers and the cigarette smokers. Frankie's owner Frank Schnarr privatized his upstairs bar for smokers when the smoking ban passed in 2008.

A little put off that we couldn't smoke wherever we wanted, but wanting to appease the old-timers, my partner in crime and I scooted off into a corner to smoke one of her medical joints.

The bartender scooted by, carrying glasses and told us that was the wrong place to smoke too. WTH?

A walk passed a coin-operated Breathalyzer machine, toward the back of the bar, where four shiny shuffleboards were parked; we found the true "smoking section."

What tipped us off was the giant, ice-filled bong, just chillin' on a table, while a group of 30-somethings played pool nearby.

Aha, now we could light up - and we did. The nervousness had passed now, and the once-over powering smell of cigarettes had faded. It wasn't long before we made friends with two guys who owned the bong.

"Carl" and "Matt" told us they were both state workers, and they both love coming to Frankie's every Tuesday night.

"Once I heard about their fight for freedom, I was on board," says Matt.

The two both claim to be heavy smokers, and true believers in "dabs" - smoking hash oil by dabbing a bit onto an apparatus that looks like a nail head, then vaping the smoke through an ice-filled bong.

"It bothers my lungs otherwise," says Matt. "Carl" and "Matt" don't smoke cigarettes.

After a good round, the conversation began flowing into the social stigmas still associated with marijuana smoking - hence the fake names and faceless photo above- how marijuana can be a performance enhancing drug (Joe Rogan, master jujitsu artist, believes), how the overall outlook for Washingtonians is health and productivity - right in line with legalization - and how Frankie's is cool for giving us an opportunity to meet other like-minded stoners.

As "Carl" put it, "We're some of those employed, responsible stoners."

And now, as if to prove it, I have a little laminated card with an American flag and my name, stating I'm a Friend of Frankie's.

FRANKIE'S SPORTS BAR & GRILL, 3663 PACIFIC AVE. SE, OLYMPIA, 360.412.1330

Filed under: Drugs, Club Hopping, Olympia,

March 7, 2013 at 12:32pm

St. Patrick's Day 2013 parties in the South Sound

SOUTH SOUND ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES: Skip is ready for his first green beer.

As holidays go, St. Patrick's Day is among the most loved and misunderstood. It's easy to find fans of catchy cocktails like the Irish Car Bomb (Jameson whiskey and Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur dropped into a half pint of Guinness stout). But beyond the drinking, eating and next-day hangover, not much thought goes into this festival of Irish heritage.

Traditionally, St. Patrick's Day honors the Patron Saint of Ireland, and the spread of Christianity to the island. But the holiday is more broadly celebrated in the South Sound, where after a few Guinnesses, anyone can be Irish.

For many South Sounders, Sunday, March 17 will be dedicated to wearing green and drinking gratuitous amounts of green beer and Irish whiskey. They'll chew their way through Guinness with its dark, rich and deep flavors. They'll chow on corned beef dishes. And they'll end the day of shenanigans with images of leprechauns dancing in their dreams. Come Monday, the pots of gold at the end of the rainbow will be replaced with wicked hangovers. Many an Excel document will not be opened.

If there any South Sounders out there who can't remember their last few St. Patrick's Days, here's what to expect.

Harmon Brewery & Eatery

The downtown Tacoma brewpub will feature a plethora of culinary goods from the Emerald Isle including corned beef and cabbage, Shepherd's Pie, lamb sliders and all-you-can-eat fish and chips beginning at 3 p.m. Live entertainment will be provided by the Pierce County Pipe and Drum Band at 4:30 p.m. 1938 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

The Swiss Pub

The downtown Tacoma bar will serve corned beef and cabbage as well as Shepherd's Pie Friday-Sunday St. Patrick's Day weekend. Expect live music in the afternoon and evening Sunday. 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma

C.I. Shenanigan's

The waterfront fine-dining house will serve traditional Irish fare and drink specials Friday-Sunday, with Irish dancers, bagpipers at The Cottonwood Cut-ups Saturday night, then a big brunch Sunday. 3017 Ruston Way, Tacoma

Jazzbones

The Sixth Avenue joint is going big St. Patrick's Day. It will hostthe vibrant bluesy tunes of Vicci Martinez. It is a general admission, first-come first-serve show and sure to sell out fast. 2803 6th Avenue, Tacoma

Harmon Tap Room

It could be the close quarters to Doyle's Public House that's to blame or maybe they are just party animals because the Harmon Tap Room isn't just partying for one day - It's a weekend affair. The Stadium District brewpub will showcase several bands from Friday, March 15 until Sunday, Saint Patrick's Day - both on stage and outdoors under a tent. It's sure to be a doozy. 204 Saint Helen's Ave., Tacoma

Southbay Dickerson's BBQ

The downtown Olympia barbeque joint will host a St. Patrick's Day party in its Pig Bar featuring rockin' jugband Mudcat at 6 p.m. Expect food and drink specials right when the doors open at 4 p.m. 619 Legion Way SE, Olympia

Dirty Oscar's Annex

Dirty Oscar's will liven up its usual Saturday evening with live music from Dava Tara. Sunday, it will be a full-on Irish brew tap takeover with foodie specials for the hungry starting at 8 a.m. 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma

Dorky's Arcade Bar

Of course the downtown Tacoma arcade is celebrating St. Patrick's Day.Sorry kiddies, Dorky's is going adult Sunday night allowing gamers to get their beer and wine on. 754 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

O'Blarney's Irish Pub

The Olympia house of Irish begins its St. Patrick's Day bright and early at 7 a.m. with breakfast. Bangers and mash? You bet - with a beer garden, bagpipes and Irish sessions music from start to finish. Reservations in family area accepted. 4411 Martin Way, Olympia

McMenamin's Spar Café

The historic downtown Olympia restaurantwill host Loch Dhu - a quintet that will keep the evening lively with upbeat and wild Celtic tunes beginning at 8 p.m. 114 Fourth Ave., Olympia

Doyle's Public House

Doyle's Public House in Tacoma's Stadium District enjoys the distinction of being the number one Jameson Irish Whiskey bar in the Pacific Northwest, and was voted one of Esquire magazine's Best Bars in America. The self-proclaimed site of Washington state's largest St. Patrick's Day celebration, Doyle's features an enormous outdoor beer garden in a revival-like tent with live music, shenanigans and boisterous merrymaking March 14-17.  Besides the outdoor tent with a draft trailer, soccer and food specials, expect live music from The Fucking Eagles, Bog Hoppers, Phasers on Kill and others. 208 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma

Paddy Coyne's Irish Pub

The Tacoma joint will also put your stamina to the test with an all-weekend shindig. Friday, Loch Dhu performs at 9 p.m. Saturday, George Grissom entertains at 9 p.m. Sunday, The Fire Inside kicks the day off at noon with Grissom back at 6 p.m. and the Pierce County Pipes and Drums at 10 p.m. Is Paddy's employment of the most Irish-accented lads on staff a coincidence? We think not. 815 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

McNamara's Pub & Eatery

The Irish restaurant in DuPont will go big this weekend hosting a beer garden, live music, DJs and drink specials Friday-Sunday. 1595 Wilmington Dr., DuPont

O'Malley's Irish Pub

O'Malley's has loaded St. Patrick's Day with music featuring The Fun Police, Shivering Denizens, DB & The Struggle, Menace, Smoke Like Daddy, Joel and Lauren Lively, Mr. Blackwatch, Seamus and Suzanne and the Fireman Pipes and Drums on indoor and outdoor stages. 2403 Sixth Ave., Tacoma

Pint Defiance

Pint Defiance hosts Alex, Dion, Greg and Andrew from Airways Brewing Company for an evening of laughs, beer and brewery swag giveaways. The beer store/tavern will pour Airways' new Oatmeal Session Pale Ale, Tropical Stout (chocolate stout with toasted coconut) and Pint Defiance's exclusive Hopped-Up Hag. Airways will pour its brand new cans of Oatmeal Session Ale and Pre-Flight Pilsner. Sky Hag attire is encouraged! 2049 Mildred St. W., Tacoma

What other partieis are going down? Comment below.

LINK: The history of St. Patrick's Day in Tacoma

March 7, 2013 at 1:26pm

Two new Tacoma open mic nights ... with one tonight!

TACOMA TEA ROOM: The space behind urbanXchange has been remodeled as a tea room with live music.

TIME TO SHARE >>>

Want to check out new talent? See the singers, poets, spoken word artists and performers of tomorrow? Want to heckle innocent people and possibly shatter their dreams of fame? You can! Attend an open mic night and all these dreams and more can come true.

But don't actually heckle anyone. It's not nice. And it's not like you have the nards to get up on stage. Even if you do, it's still not nice.

New open mic nights tend to pop up here and there, including two and new cafes in Tacoma.

The Tacoma Tea Room at 1932 Pacific Ave. opened in early February. It's a great hangout with nifty recycled and repurposed furniture and décor. It's a place for unique local tea, including teas made right at the shop. And - it hosts a brand new open mic night on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Electric and acoustic acts are welcome.

"We invite any singer songwriters and any spoken word and poets," says owner Benjamin Wolters. "We will have a sign up list for performers and encourage people to keep performances to ten minutes, especially if there are a lot of performers."

Meanwhile, nestled into Tacoma's Three Bridges area in the north end, Café Brosseau at 2716 N. 21st St. also has a new open mic brewing.

"We currently are striving to host a very family friendly, acoustic, living room-style event," says open mic night organizer Hailey Gift. "Our space does not allow for too much sound, so we are not using amps or a sound system which really promotes a feeling of community, and also makes everyone feel like they are not necessarily watching a show, but watching their neighbors and friends in a very comfortable setting."

Café Brosseau welcomes covers, but also hopes to bring in a lot of local, original talent. Its open mic night will be every other Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Sign-up starts at 5 p.m. and the next event is March 13.

LINK: Live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Filed under: Music, Tacoma,

March 8, 2013 at 7:13am

Comment of the Day: WWKD?

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comment of the day comes from Jeff Southard, the Swoon Records producer Rev. Adam McKinney profiled in the Weekly Volcano's Music Issue. Southard is nearing completion on Watermelon Sugar's Self Tyttled, featuring one of Tacoma's most talented sons, Kyle Brunette.

Southard writes,

Often times, I look at that photo on the console and ask myself "What would Kyle do?"

Filed under: Comment of the Day, Tacoma, Music,

March 8, 2013 at 7:14am

5 Things To Do Today: “Chasing Ice” opens, Candle Lit show, classical music, art opening and more ...

"Chasing Ice": Acclaimed environmental photographer James Balog's thrilling quest to capture Earth's vanishing glaciers for National Geographic is flash-frozen in this alternately beautiful/frightening documentary.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8 2013 >>>

1. If you wanted a white winter, the closest you're likely to get is Jeff Orlowski's Chasing Ice, one of the most visually spectacular and troubling nature documentaries of recent years. In it, photographer James Balog and a team of young adventurers set out to chart the melting of Arctic glaciers, with lamentable success. It opens today at The Grand Cinema at 2, 6:35 and 8:30 p.m., with Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium staff biologists and educators leading a community discussion following the 6:35 screening. Below is the best trailer you'll see all week.

2. B2 Fine Arts Gallery celebrates International Women's Day and History Month by hosting award-winning Northwest illustration artist Jill Neal's "I'm Every Woman" series depicting strength among women in "every field of endeavor" through April 27. A special artist reception will be held from 5-9 p.m.

3. The Warehouse kicks off its 2013 Candle Lit series with the super dynamic and super talented Damien Jurado with guests Jake Hemming and Amelia Saakian at 7:30 p.m. inside the Urban Grace Church. "Damien Jurado is quite possibly one of the best singer/songwriters many of us get the pleasure of experiencing," says Doug Stoeckicht, marketing director at The Warehouse. "His music moves us personally and we believe it's worth sharing with those who are connected to The Warehouse. Also, to have an artist such as Damien make himself accessible to us, and this event, is an amazing privilege we couldn't pass up. People are in for a treat." Music combined with atmosphere is one of the many aesthetics that The Warehouse aims for. The Candle Lit series is another way to highlight the unique visions of these Tacoma creatives. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on the Candle Lit series in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

4. The Pierce College Puyallup Concert and Chamber Choirs present their winter program, "Mozart and Folk Melody," featuring American and Irish folk songs, followed by Mozart's Six Nocturnes, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Arts and Allied Health Building Theater. As a bonus, an orchestra of professional musicians has been summoned to join the Concert Choir for Mozart's Missa Brevis in D Minor.

5. Dr. Torrey Lawrence will become the director of the Tacoma Community College School of Music in June 2013. There's a good chance the good doctor could stick around TCC for a while. He joined the faculty of the Lionel Hampton School of Music at the University of Idaho in 1998. He currently holds the rank of professor of Music and is associate director of the school. You can catch Dr. Lawrence in action at 7:30 p.m. when he leads the TCC Symphonic Band in Galbraith's Danza de los Duendes, Milford's Fantasy on English Folk Songs, Gregson's Tuba Concerto with Lawrence as a tuba soloist, Pann's Hold this Boy and Listen and Connor's Tails aus dem Vood Viennoise.

LINK: Friday, March 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

March 8, 2013 at 8:25am

Local author Megan Bostic launches an Indiegogo for second book

MEGAN BOSTIC: She's attempting to self-publish her second book.

TURNING HER OWN PAGES >>>

The life of an author is not an easy one. While an exclusive few are rolling in the dough, most are hanging out in the middle, hoping for their ships to come in. So it goes for local young adult author Megan Bostic, who is about to delve into an entirely new realm as a result - she's going rogue. She's entering the world of indie publishing.

Last January, Bostic's debut novel Never Eighteen hit the shelves, published by major house Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. In June, she parted ways with her agent. Her publisher chose not to take her second book.

Bostic has talked to agents and her publisher about her next book, but is still drawn to self-publishing.

"If I wait to go traditional, I'm looking at a 2015-16 release date, and I really don't want to wait that long," she says. "I did most of the publicity myself for my first novel. I made connections with the gatekeepers, the book buyers, librarians and teachers. I have enough know how. I have the stamina and perseverance to do this myself and make it work."

Self-publishing is a beast in its own right. In order to get a book out there right and have full control over the distribution process, Bostic must purchase an ISBN number for each format she wants to produce, from hardback to paperback to ebook.

Bostic has set up a fundraiser on Indiegogo to help raise funds to purchase a lot of 10 ISBNs, get her next book properly distributed and put together swag - giveaways for book signings and school appearances. Especially with a teen audience, swag is a boon.

On her Indiegogo is a summary of her new novel:

Sydney Warner, a teenage girl, whom after being abandoned by her mother at a young age, becomes a thrill seeker with a penchant for extreme sports and a fascination with death. She’s brash, she’s spunky, and she doesn’t take crap from anyone.

Withdrawn and broody David, from English class, is the boy of Syd's dreams, but love soon becomes just another extreme sport when Syd finds out that David has cheated on her with her best friend. Betrayal, loneliness, and a mishap with a picture frame set Syd on a course of self-destruction that includes alcohol, drugs, and self-mutilation in the form of cutting.

After nearly bleeding to death during an arm carving mishap, Syd is tossed unwillingly into a teen psyche ward where she comes to realize she’s not alone. Through new friendships, unwelcomed therapy, and her love of the stars, she finds alternate ways to cope with her emotions on her path to forgiveness and redemption.

"There's definitely more prep work when indie publishing. The burden is all on my shoulders," she says. "What I like about it is that it's on my terms. The time frame is how long or short I want it to be. With traditional publishing it was months between phases."

Still, going rogue is risky. But then so is traditional publishing for most authors.

"I'm really hoping this path works in my favor," she says. "If it doesn't, it's still been an exciting process and I've been so grateful to those who have helped and supported me along the way."

Filed under: Books, Business, Tacoma,

March 8, 2013 at 9:45am

Weekend Hustle: South Sound Tech Conference, Dockyard Derby Dames, Red Jacket Mine, Poetry Out Loud, bull riders and more ...

DOCKYARD DERBY DAMES: Watch last year's champions The Marauding Mollys battle Saturday night at the season seven opener.

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Sunshine, hi 51, lo 35

Saturday: Mostly sunny, hi 54, lo 39

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a few showers, hi 50, lo 44

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 8: SOUTH SOUND TECH CONFERENCE

Technology is a pretty freakin' big deal these days. Seems like the legions of tech geeks are ever growing, with a new techie born every time the wind blows or someone purchases a new iPhone. Friday brings the South Sound Technology Conference to the University of Washington Tacoma, a one-day event designed to bring together, "leaders from industry, education and government to discuss and demonstrate innovations and their applications," according to pre-event hype. The day-long event features a morning keynote by Director of Business Incubation at Cisco Systems Sharon Wong, a panel discussion on big data, and a lunch keynote by Michael Hamilton, chief information and security officer with the city of Seattle. - Weekly Volcano

  • UWT - William W. Philip Hall, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., $20, registration required, 1551 Broadway, Tacoma, sstconference.org

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 8: RED JACKET MINE

"It's been a few years since we last played The New Frontier, and much has changed - most notably, we have a brand-new LP called Someone Else's Cake out on Fin Records," says Lincoln Barr of Red Jacket Mine. "It'll be great to be back ... Brook, Neil, and the rest of the crew are hospitality epitomized. We recently heard up-and-comers Trees and Timber at a house party hosted by our friends in the Jilly Rizzo, and we knew we'd found a Tacoma band after our own heart. Throw in The Variety Hour and you've got a full night of Pure Pop for Tacoma's Now People." - Nikki McCoy

  • The New Frontier Lounge, 9 p.m., $5, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020

>>> FRIDAY, MARCH 8: MOSQUITO HAWK

McCoys Cavern in Olympia, voted Best Dive Bar by Volcano readers, will be hosting a night of rock; stoner rock, classic rock, dirty rock, whatever you want to call it, it will be off the hinge. With Mosquito Hawk (Oly), Witchburn (Seattle) and Black Pussy (Portland), I wouldn't recommend passing this one up. - NM

  • McCoy's Tavern, 10 p.m., $3, 420 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.352.0696

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 16: POETRY OUT LOUD STATE FINALS

Chad Channing, former Nirvana drummer, brings his pop rock band Before Cars to Rocket Records for an afternoon, live performance. Before Cars are promoting its latest album, How We Run, dropped Feb. 26 on the band's record label, Pocket Star Records. Best thing about this album is the acoustic, singer/songwriter feel. Best thing about Rocket Records shows is they start early, you can browse music, there is a cool gumball machine, and owner Steve Gaydich and his dog, Bruno, are never without smiles, making it feel like your living room. Combine the two, and you're golden. - NM

  • Rocket Records, 3 p.m., no cover, 3843 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.756.5186

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 9: SNAKE LAKE SCIENCE FAIR

Kids these days are no damn good. You hear about it all the time. But Saturday at the Tacoma Nature Center anyone interested can get a look at some of the positive things kids are capable of - like baking soda volcanoes and paper towel strength test. It's called the Snake Lake Science Fair, and kids from throughout Tacoma - many of them homeschooled - will participate with gusto this weekend, making for an event that's sure to be both enjoyable and enlightening. And it's also free to drop in on. The kids have been working for a long time on these projects (deadline for application was in late February, and there was a $10 application fee), so we expect a topnotch science fair. - WV

  • Tacoma Nature Center, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. public viewing, free admission, 1919 S. Tyler, Tacoma, 253.591.6439

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 9-SUNDAY, MARCH 10: PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS

Wooooeee, that's a tall drink o' water! The professional bull riders are in town this Saturday for the PBR Built Ford Tough Series Tacoma Invitational at the Tacoma Dome. You can watch guys get thrown around by burgers on the hoof, enjoy the smell of large animal poop or watch the Weekly Volcano lasses stalk the man flesh while wearing my "Save a horse, ride a cowboy" T-shirt. - WV

  • Tacoma Dome, 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $17-$19, 2525 E. D St., Tacoma, 253.272.3663

>>> SATURDAY, MARCH 9: DOCKYARD DERBY DAMES

Dockyard Derby Dames are gearing up for their first bout of their seventh season Saturday, where you will see the Femme Fianna, Hellbound Homewreckers, Marauding Mollys and Trampires in double-header action. This event teams up with Emergency Food Network - bring donated food and receive $3 off at the door. There will also be a beer garden and food truck for those that need to fuel their fire for extra cheering power. - NM

  • Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 6 p.m. $12/adv, $15/door, 9401 Farwest Dr. SW  Lakewood, 253. 964.6500

WHAT SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE UP TO

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL Theater Critic
I plan to watch the new Oz movie, then spend all weekend bitching about how it doesn't measure up to the original.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Music Writer
This weekend, I'll be getting out of town for a few days to visit a friend in Portland. There, I expect that I'll revel in its relatively cheap culture, picking up a seriously discounted carton of cigarettes and enjoying complimentary beer-backs with my shots of whiskey. Portland is heaven for a few days, hell for much longer, I've found.

ALEC CLAYTON Arts Critic
We're going to the Thurston County Progressive Network's "Let Them Eat Cake" fundraiser dinner auction thingamajingy.

NIKKI MCCOY Feature Writer
After Friday, when I will be slinging drinks and then hitting up the Royal Lounge for Brent Amaker and The Dirty Birds, plus a mosey down to McCoy's for Mosquito Hawk and Black Pussy, the weekend calls from some serious R & R. And, no, I'm not talking about the Canadian blend whiskey - I'm talking sweat pants, TV trays, book reading and sleeping in.

JOSH RIZEBERG Music Columnist
I'm not doing anything this weekend except teaching my spoken-word/poetry class at D.A.S.H. on Saturday from 1-2 p.m. Then, I'll be helping Kept See shoot a video. Sunday, I'll be hitting the Graffiti Garage MC Cypher at 1 p.m.

JACKIE FENDER Food Writer
Saturday will include morning bird booze slinging and writing while Sunday will be the ultimate date night in honor of the husband's day of birth week. Undecided in what culinary exploration we will partake in but most certainly heading north to revel in Cirque du Soliel's Amaluna.

JOANN VARNELL Theater Critic
Woohoo, I have a date! Well, sort of. While my husband and I will be at the same Warehouse show with Damien Jurado and Jake Hemming on Friday. He will be working and I'll be hanging with friends. The toddler will have his own date and may or not be asleep when we get home. Also, I plan on grading papers and lesson planning at some point.

ADRIENNE KUEHL Food Writer
Friday, I'm heading to Seattle to hang out with my best friend at her gallery and catch up on some wine drinking. The rest of the weekend will be dedicated to doing my taxes and planning a friend's baby shower. Thrilling.

STEVE DUNKELBRGER Nightlife Correspondent
This weekend I plan on writing and shooting with a little coursework and maybe catching the Dockyard Derby Dames bout at Pierce College.

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