THURSDAY, JAN. 16 2014 >>>

1. Dr. Jamie Brooks grew up in Lakewood, graduating from Bellarmine and later from the University of Washington, first in dental hygiene, and later from the school of dentistry. She practiced in Gig Harbor and then in Olympia before deciding with her husband to create a new practice in downtown Tacoma, Brooks Dental Studio, in 2008. Inspired by her aunt, Lisa Kinoshita, Brooks included exhibition space in her sleek, modern office. Today, another artist’s works will grace the space. An open house will be held for Chandler O’Leary's "You’ll Like Tacoma" show from 5-7 p.m.

2. Stanley and Seafort's (115 E. 34th St., Tacoma) offers a three-course meal deal with its popular prime rib in the spotlight accompanied by soup or salad and dessert for $35.95 through the month of January.

3. We can scarcely imagine hiking all day long, day in and day out, for six months. Or four months. Or even a month. This is what "thru-hikers" on the Pacific Crest Trail do, year after year, and have been doing since the trail was conceived by Clinton Churchill Clarke in 1932. They train, plan, pack, practice, and finally hike all 2,663 miles of this trail that extends from California's border with Mexico to the U.S.-Canada border on the edge of Manning Park in British Columbia. Tahoma Audubon Society's first program of the year will be a free presentation by Gus and Elena Wimberger about their adventures while hiking the length of the Pacific Crest Trail this past year at 7 p.m. in the Tacoma Nature Center.

4. "Tell It Like It Tiz!" is an anthology of comics and stories created by elders at the Marie Smith Center (MSC), an adult day center in North Portland, Oregon that serves seniors who are functionally or cognitively impaired. Portland writers and illustrators Nicole J. Georges and Marc Parker will read from and talk about the book at the Olympia Timberland Library from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m.

5. Every Thursday night at Puget Sound Pizza, the Volcano's music critic Rev. Adam McKinney hosts a karaoke session showcasing a Tarantino-like mix of downtown denizens seriously singing Bill Withers and glasses-wearing gals squawking out punk rawk, plus appearances by local rock stars, beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, Jan. 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area