Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: May, 2013 (62) Currently Viewing: 11 - 20 of 62

May 12, 2013 at 8:26am

5 Things To Do Today: Tour Defiance, drunk comics, fashion show, Sinatra and more ...

"Happy Mother's Day Madge!"

SUNDAY, MAY 11 2013 >>>

1. Hey moms! Bikes are cool and they make you butt look great. They are the best things to hit Tacoma since craft beer in cans. On this Mother's Day join CycloFemme and the global women's cycling movement for a spin around and around and around the Point Defiance's Five Mile Drive. Tour Defiance launches at 10 a.m. from the Antique Sandwich Company. Bring your helmets. Mother's Day dinner from a hospital would suck.

2. Yesterday's weather was nice, but you could barely enjoy it since all you could think about was the sad state of your closet. You want flirty skirts and kitten heels in the freshest colors and styles for spring, yet your warm wool trousers and cashmere sweaters are still taking up prime real estate in your closet. You better believe that after today's Mother/Daughter Fashion Show at Sonja - Clothes To Live In, you'll be singing a happier tune. Sonja Silver has been dressing women for many years, and since moving her boutique behind her Proctor Frozen Yogurt, she and Craig Fite have been keeping Tacoma smiling since last summer. at 3 p.m., three sets of three generations will model Silver's spring/summer fashion. So, before heading outside to soak up the spring weather, check in with Silver so you can really enjoy the season in style.

3. Jazzbones hosts a "A Very Special Day with Sinatra: A Night at the Sands," a long title but cool nonetheless. Joey Jewell will be in the house to sing the Sinatra hits with Jim Kerl's SWingin' '60s Orchestra backing. Ten bucks gets you in to the 6:30 p.m. show.

4. Chris Stevens & The Surf Monkeys will will be joined by Jay Mabin and his harmonica for a free show at 7 p.m. in The Spar

5. The Tacoma Comedy Club presents Comics Under The Influence where five comics perform a set each sober, and then while the other comics are performing they pound booze and return to the stage wasted to do another set. Jubal Flagg from Movin 95.5 FM tries to keep the thing flowing, beginning at 8 p.m.

LINK: Sunday, May 12 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

May 13, 2013 at 7:26am

5 Things To Do Today: "SERVICE" film, karaoke, blues and more ...

KARAOKE AT BOB'S JAVA JIVE: This happens Sunday-Tuesday. Photo credit: Steve Dunkelberger

MONDAY, MAY 13 2013 >>>

1. Remember back in the day when you were in your first apartment and spent a memorable Saturday night with your friends just blaring the record player and singing along to random selections from your album collection? Toss in a pitcher of PBR and extreme lighting and that is karaoke at Bob's Java Jive. Sunday through Tuesday at 9 p.m. has Nikki Weatherhead on the mic. The spunky Tacoman never seems to lack energy or a smile even if the sign up sheet is less than full.

2. A lot of us have fantasized about ways we might be able to talk our way out of jury duty. Thurston County Commissioner Sandra Romero and her guest, Judge Christopher Wickham, have a thing or two to say about that issue and the inner workings of Superior Court at their coffee and conversation event at 9:30 a.m. at Rainier City Hall, 11 a.m. at Tacos Gaby in Yelm (no, it's true) and 2 p.m. Olympic Crest Coffee in Lacey.

3. Former Coast Guard Alexis Courneen has a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and crushed nerves in her right arm; (ret.) Army gunner Sue Downes came home a double-amputee after her tour in Afghanistan; Iraq war veteran Layla Mansberger is a Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivor who suffers with Post Traumatic Stress-Disorder (PTSD). A new documentary funded by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) entitled, SERVICE: When Women Come Marching Home, followed these Servicemembers and five other female veterans after they redeployed with mental and physical injuries suffered in combat.A free film screening and panel discussion will be hosted by the University of Washington Tacoma from 6-8 p.m.

4. Whether you know The Dukes of Swing are back or not - they're back - you might want to know they're the offical stage band of Elks Lodge No. 593 in Aberdeen and are performing at 8 p.m. in The Royal Lounge.

5. Dean Reickard will fill The Swiss with blues beginning at 8 p.m.

LINK: Monday, May 13 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

May 13, 2013 at 9:48am

Eat This Now: Mary's Secret Sauce Burger

Mary's Secret Sauce Burger accompanied by fries and a peanut butter shake. Photo credit: Jackie Fender

Burgers - an American dietary staple since the dawn of time. OK, perhaps that's an overuse of hyperbole, but burgers are meaty meal staples for many.

Mary's Burger Bistro along Pacific Avenue in the greater Tacoma Dome District presents an especially tasty version of the burger. The Secret Sauce Burger ($5.99) features a third pound of juicy beef in a hand formed patty - one could opt for a Mighty half pound or All Mighty one-pound patty as well. Fresh, thick slices of onion, crispy leaf lettuce, velvety melted American cheese and Mary's "special sauce" is sandwiched along with the patty on a lightly toasted Kaiser bun.

There are not a whole lot of bells and whistles to this burger. There need not be. Mary's Secret Sauce Burger is perfection. Add a side of house cut French fries and an old fashioned shake for $3.49, or a soda and fries for $2.49. Mary's shake selection is the usual suspects in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry and include root beer, butterscotch, peanut butter, blueberry, blackberry raspberry, orange, peach, banana, caramel and marshmallow.

Mary's - with its retro-like feel - serves up other burgers, fish and chips, salads and sandwiches, not to mention a decent selection of domestic brews and non-fountain beverages.

Skip drive-thru burger joints. Mary's service is genuine and friendly.

MARY'S SECRET SAUCE BURGER, Mary's Burger Bistro, 2301 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.0777

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

Filed under: Food & Drink, Tacoma,

May 13, 2013 at 10:42am

Music: Little Wings at the Guest House

Little Wings sometimes hides behind shoes. Photo courtesy of Facebook

Little Wings, aka Kyle Field, is an instantly engaging performer. Whether it is huddled under a blanket softly singing to a small handful of listeners, or bellowing out his caterwaul warbled yelp in small theaters, there is a striking intimacy in his approach.

You never know what to expect, or what Little Wings you are going to get, with a performance from Mr. Field. This isn't to say that he is the male equivalent of Cat Power, as I have read in the past, just that he is unpredictable in the grandest of senses. I personally have seen him dozens of times over the past decade and a half, and each time I think back on a particular performance I feel that I witnessed something special. This is said without reservation, without hyperbole. He is that good.

Wednesday May 15, Little Wings takes his roadshow to the "guesthouse" with guests Lee Baggett and Globelamp. It is a house show, so be polite, double check the Facebook invite for more information and most of all enjoy the experience.

May 14, 2013 at 6:25am

Comment of the Day: Mammoth Salmon rocks

Yesterday's comment of the day comes from yu stu in regards to Nikki McCoy's preview of the Mammoth Salmon show at McCoy's in downtown Olympia.

yu stu writes,

Nikki is right on. Mammoth Salmon would fit right in with Slayer or Black Sabbath but without the evil hateful lyrics. Sweet head-bangin' goodness. Looking forward to seeing them again.

May 14, 2013 at 6:40am

5 Things To Do Today: "War Witch," Edith Eger, Tacoma bike history, Elvis and more ...

A long walk: Komona (Rachel Mwanza)

TUESDAY, MAY 14 2013 >>>

1. At 12, Komona (Rachel Mwanza) is living in a small, poor village, when she is captured by guerrilla fighters and conscripted into their army of child soldiers. The first act demanded of her is that she kill her parents. Sobbing, she complies, and the initiation is complete: "You are now a rebel of the Great Tiger." In Kim Nguyen's fictionalized account of this African child soldier, War Witch, Komona shares her story, explaining to her baby - and us - how her short life has already arrived at such a fraught place. Komona finds hope for survival in protective, ghost-like visions, and in a tender relationship with a fellow soldier named Magician. Together, they manage to escape the rebels' clutches, and a normal life finally seems within reach. But after their freedom proves short-lived, Komona realizes she must find a way to bury the ghosts of her past. War Witch, an award-winning film - including a nominee for Best Foreign Film at this year's Academy Awards - will screen at 2:15 and 6:40 p.m. at The Grand Cinema.

2.Holocaust survivor Edith Eger will lecture on discarding limitations, discovering powers of self-renewal and achieving things previously thought unattainable at 2:30 p.m. at Tacoma Community College as part of its Student Life Artist & Lecture Series. In May 1944, at the age of 16, Eger was a classically trained ballerina and aspiring gymnast. Her dreams were crushed when she and her family were taken from their home in Kassa, Hungary, and sent to Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi death camp. Rescued by an American soldier in 1945, she eventually moved to the United States and became an acclaimed clinical psychologist and lecturer.

3. Did you know that bicyclists helped to pave the way for Tacoma's first roads? Or that Tacoma was once the cycling capitol of the Pacific Northwest? Yes, we do know. Tacoma's Active Transportation Coordinator Diane Wiatr told on two occasions. Her presentation on Tacoma's bicycle history is worth hearing. Catch it at 6 p.m. in the Olympic Room at the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch in downtown Tacoma. Stick around afterward to enjoy a free screening of the Academy Award nominated, animated film The Triplets of Belleville.

4. Usually when you go to the casino you just lose money - but tonight could be different. Danny Vernon's Illusions of Elvis will be at the Red Wind Casino this evening. Travel out to Yelm and have a great time with the King's likeness, starting at 6:30 p.m.

5. If hearing the sound of your own cackling voice echoing off the walls of your shower stall has you craving the sound of something a bit more harmonious, check out the local songbirds and storytellers at Victory Music Open Mic at the Antique Sandwich Co. It's guaranteed to be jam-packed with gorgeous sounds and humbling verses, as the South Sound's greatest up-and-coming acoustic musicians bare their souls impromptu-style beginning at 7 p.m.

LINK: Tuesday, May 14 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

May 14, 2013 at 7:51am

Today In Genius: Fried avocado

Peanut sauce Thai's fried avocado is crunchy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. Photo credit: Adrienne Kuehl

If you drive by too fast, you might miss it. Tucked away in a strip mall near the Tacoma Mall is Peanut Sauce Thai Cuisine, a culinary gem located among fast food and chain restaurants. With one of the most extensive Thai menus in Tacoma, as well as having the largest Thai vegetarian and vegan selection, it is worth a visit.

On a recent visit, I was pleased to find two appetizers I haven't seen too often on other Thai menus in town: fried avocado ($6.99) and garlic spareribs ($6.50). You read that right - fried avocado. I don't know how they do it, but it's genius. Crunchy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside, this dish is served with a sweet chili sauce and ready for dipping. The pork spareribs were a little tough, but still a nice bite to nibble on.

When deciding between my favorite Thai restaurants, I always order the same dishes at each one to compare the different flavors and techniques. For me, good baseline comparison dishes are pad thai ($7.50) and pad kee mao, or drunken noodles ($7.50). Their pad thai was the perfect balance of sweet and sour, and one of the best I've tried. Although a bit dry, the drunken noodles had good flavor and fresh vegetables.

If the reasonable prices, friendly staff and excellent service don't keep you coming back to Peanut Sauce Thai, come for the endless selection of new dishes to sample.

PEANUT SAUCE THAI CUISINE, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 5003 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma, 253.475.4889

Filed under: Food & Drink, Tacoma, Genius,

May 14, 2013 at 9:16am

Saluting free wings at Hooters

If you're going to celebrate Armed Forces Day Saturday with the family, you might skip the breastaurant Hooters. Hanging out with the kids at Hooters makes as much sense as watching as gathering The 40 Year Old Virgin on Christmas morning. However, if it's just you and your fellow Soldiers looking for some wings after festivities at Joint Base Lewis-McChord or the big parade in Bremerton, Hooters with its orange interior and 1984-era wind shorts could hit the spot. Hooters is giving away 10 wings to all active and retired military personnel with a beverage purchase.

Now that's something to salute.

ARMED FORCES DAY, Saturday, May 18, Hooters, 6812 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma, 253.476.9464

May 15, 2013 at 6:41am

5 Things To Do Today: Walk Tacoma, glass artist Nick Mount, Little Wings and more ...

Downtown on the Go's Walk Tacoma tour is not afraid to walk on grass.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 2013 >>>

1. Why go on a beer run when you can participate in a beer walk. We don't know what that means, but we do know this: Downtown On the Go's Walk Tacoma tours are awesome, and at 5:15 p.m. local historian Michael Sullivan will lead the tour through Tacoma's Brewery District. For 45 minutes Sullivan will point out interesting buildings in the downtown Tacoma historic district, drop Tacoma historical facts and drink Tacoma beer with the group at the post walk party at Harmon Brewery & Eatery. The walk, sponsored by Union Bank, begins at the top of the University of Washington Tacoma stairs at South 19th and Jefferson then weaves through the district like a person drunk on beer.

2. Australian artist Nick Mount with American artist Richard Marquis will be inaugurating the 2013 Visiting Artists Summer Series in the Hot Shop at Museum of Glass today through Sunday, May 19. Since working amongst the pioneers of hot glass in Australia in the early 1970s, Mount has been one of that country's pre-eminent glass artists. His work combines virtuoso technique with a keen instinct for design. He has exhibited in Europe, South America, the United States and Japan and is recognised internationally for his exhibition work, commissions and teaching. He's kind of a big deal.

3. The "World War II" exhibit is on display at Karpeles Manuscript Museum housing the Japanese flag captured at the Battle of Okinawa and the navigator's flight log of the Enola Gay Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber at the time of its dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. It's open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4. Held every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Dorky's Arcade, Trivia for Dorks is a free, all-ages affair with such prizes as gift certificates to Dorky's. Sure, prizes are nice, but even better is dropping your win at your next round table D & D discussion. Teams can earn bonus points for correctly identifying the night's theme.

5. Little Wings, aka Kyle Field, is an instantly engaging performer. Whether it is huddled under a blanket softly singing to a small handful of listeners, or bellowing out his caterwaul warbled yelp in small theaters, there is a striking intimacy in his approach. At 8 p.m., Little Wings takes his roadshow to the "guesthouse" with guests Lee Baggett and Globelamp. It is a house show, so be polite, double check the Facebook invite for more information and most of all enjoy the experience.

LINK: Wednesday, May 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

May 15, 2013 at 10:15am

When watching aliens does good

"OK, OK, I'll donate to the theaters."

Watch E.T. croak out "Ell-i-ot" and fly across the moon in his iconic bicycle basket at Olympia's historic Capitol Theater tomorrow, then head out and scope Sigourney's bald head on the big screen in the classic creeper Alien from the comfort of your car at Shelton's historic Skyline Drive-In Theater.

ET shows 6:30 p.m. and Alien shows at 9 p.m.

Both screenings are a benefit to raise money to convert to digital cinema equipment -essential in keeping the theaters alive. Well, technically Skyline Theater just met their goal of $40,000 through a kickstarter campaign, but the show must go on.

"By the end of 2013, most Hollywood film studios will stop making 35mm film and convert entirely to digital distribution," reads the event hype. "This conversion will save billions for studios, which no longer need to make and distribute film prints, but has left historic theaters scrambling to finance equipment in excess of $60,000-$80,000."

Since 1964, Skyline has provided a place for families to enjoy first-run Hollywood movies from the backs of their pickups or with driver seats reclined. This special event includes a beer and wine garden for those older than 21 and a "special treat" for those that attend both screenings.

The Capitol Theater has been at the heart of the Olympia community since its incarnation in 1924 and Olympia Film Society, owners of the theater, have been a beacon in the film community since 1980.

Proceeds will be split between the two groups.

E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 16, Capitol theater, 206 Fifth Ave., Olympia, $8, website

ALIEN, 9 p.m., Thursday, May 16, Skyline Drive-In, 180 SE Brewer Road, Shelton, website

Filed under: Screens, Olympia, Benefits,

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