WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13 2013 >>>

1. Author David Cantlin will lecture on Tacoma Rail, one of the largest short-line railroad systems in the country, at noon inside the Washington State History Museum. Cantlin's new book showcases the history of the railroad industry in Tacoma, from its humble beginning as a rickety trolley line to the economic engine that helps power the Port of Tacoma and surrounding area.

2. Digital media pioneer Jennifer Steinkamp fabricated a vividly seductive digital artwork following a tree through the four seasons as though blown by unpredictable winds, causing the branches to twist and clench. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tacoma Art Museum, the artwork charts the passage of time by following the path of a single tree as it cycles through a year of change in 11 minutes.

3. Meghan Mitchell's drawings in the show "Hello" at Fulcrum Gallery are delightful. We could easily dismiss them as cute little drawings not really important as art, but we could just as easily dismiss the art of great graphic artists like Saul Steinberg and Jules Feiffer in the same way. We can see similarities between Mitchell's drawings and some by Steinberg and Feiffer. We also see similarities in style to popular Tacoma artist Sean Alexander. We can also see the show for the last time as it ends today. Catch it from noon to 6 p.m. Read Alec Clayton's full review of "Hello" in the Music and Culture section.

4. There are not many foods you can philosophize about effectively (what does a hamburger mean?), but soup is one of them. It's the perfect winter food, it's rich and healthy, it's just so damn ... warm. You could probably come up with many more fitting theories why soup is so metaphorical. So, come embarrass your peers by waxing poetic at Pacific Lutheran University's Empty Bowls benefit where bowls created by professional and amateur potters will be on sale from 4-6 p.m. to benefit the Trinity Lutheran Church food banks. Admire (and take home) the pretty bowls at $10 a pop. Oh, and there's soup, baby ... beautiful, bottomless bowl after bowl.

5. Saxophonist Kareem Kandi has hosted an open jazz session for years, a backyard patio for his music school friends, fellow musicians and newbies to jam out standards - fresh, fiery and exciting. The jam now resides every second Wednesday at 7 p.m. in The Swiss.

LINK: Wednesday, Nov. 13 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area