TUESDAY, DEC. 3 2013 >>>

1. Did you ever wonder where all that rainwater goes, once it runs down that grate in the street? In Tacoma, it’s headline news with the Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project and its fancy green storm water infrastructure. In larger cities the infrastructure are often vast tunnels, an arcane and idiosyncratic series of interconnected waterways vital to a city’s daily functions, but invisible and forgotten by its citizens, save for a handful of construction and maintenance workers. At 2:40 and 7:50 p.m., The Grand Cinema will screen Lost Rivers, a recent documentary about urban underground waterways around the world.

2. One of the Pacific Northwest's leading Native artists, from a family long associated with The Evergreen State College, is the subject of a richly illustrated new book, A Totem Pole History: The Work of Lummi Carver Joe Hillaire. Lummi elder Pauline Hillaire writes about her father's legacy as one of the most influential Coast Salish artists of the 20th century.  The book includes photographs of Joe Hillaire's most significant totem poles, along with essays from contributors on Coast Salish art history, pigment technology, oral history, intercultural relations and the central role of art in Coast Salish life. Lummi/Haida carver Felix Solomon, editor Gregory Fields, and others associated with the publication will present images and readings from the book and its accompanying video and audio CDs at 3 p.m. in Seminar Building Two, Room C1105, at The Evergreen State College.

3. Olympia author Peter James Neff will read from his newly published collection of inspirational poetry, Prayers to Live, and answer questions about his poetry and artwork at 6 p.m. in the Tumwater Timberland Library. Neff, a young man with Down syndrome, lives with his parents, goes to work every day, volunteers in his community and takes an active role in his church. He is a prolific poet, responsive to each joy, sorrow, friend and everyday experience in his life.

4. Need a holiday season boost? Join the Pacific Lutheran University community at 5 p.m. for its annual lighting of the tree in Red Square. There will be singing of carols, sipping of hot cider and Pres. Anderson will throw the switch.

5. Every Tuesday, Maxwell's Speakeasy serves two chef's choice appetizers and two house wines or draft beers for $15. Chef Slater and server extraordinaire and wine pro Kent Bolden sample wines weeks in advance, mull them over, discuss possible pairings, sample more, then create an awesome dining experience.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Tuesday, Dec. 3 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area