FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2014 >>>

1. When 25-year-old Ben Rice opened his mouth to sing, we did not expect to hear the voice of an old soul, belted out in the honey-haggard tone of one who has been singing for a career, but that's exactly what happened. Combine with quick-picking on the guitar (sometimes on a cigar-box guitar), throw in some resonators, and you get roots-rock-blues-Americana for the new generation. Ben Rice and the Illamatics will perform at 9 p.m. in Stonegate Pizza.

2. Olympia Spring Arts Walk - a celebration of music, theater and art - is proof Oly knows how to have a good time. It's one huge block party. It's a great place to bring the kids during the day and then hit the bars at night. All of downtown Olympia is transformed into a giant smorgasbord of food, fun, art and music for an entire weekend, more specifically this weekend - April 25-26. The fun kicks off tonight from 5-10 p.m., including a Nirvana tribute concert at the Capitol Theater.

3. Each year, the Lakewood Sister Cities Association holds a three-day festival highlighting the culture of one of its sister cities. This year, the organization is proud to bring the rich culture of Okinawa, Japan to the area with its 2014 International Festival and ArtsFest Celebration. Tonight features ArtsFest, with a showcase of student and veteran artwork from 6 to 9 p.m. at Pierce College. There will be a reception following the exhibition and an opportunity to meet the artists in person. The Clover Park High School entertainers will provide entertainment.

4. If you've ever wanted to get levitated, drowned in a milk jug, or penetrated by Spikes of Doom, now's your chance. Married illusionists Kevin and Cindy Spencer were named "Magicians of the Year" by the International Magicians Society in 2009, and yes, they do call people up out of the audience to get ensorcelled within an inch of their lives. Kevin has a habit (swiped from Harry Houdini) of walking through brick walls, so catch his act at 7:30 p.m. in the Pantages Theater before he does himself any permanent craniofacial damage.

5. A Leaf and The Sound and The Fury perform at 8 p.m. in Metronome Coffee in Tacoma. According to the Internet, "It's gonna be a rad show!!!"

LINK: Friday, April 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater TAcoma and Olympia area

This month the 7th Infantry Division will race to gain ground in the fight against sexual assault.

To raise awareness, 7th ID will host a sexual assault awareness run, April 29, on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"In the month of April we are observing the 10th annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month," said Col. Louis Zeisman, commander of 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th ID, in a special message to Soldiers of his brigade. "Leaders at all levels must establish a climate of dignity, trust, and respect."

The intent is to educate leaders, Soldiers, and Department of Defense civilians on the consequences of not intervening to stop sexual assault before it happens.

In addition, each brigade under the Bayonet Division will hold a Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention safety stand-down day.

Read more...

Following on the successful heels of the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Burgers, our editorial staff will present a new NCAA Basketball tournament-like event next spring.  Once again we'll host a number of daily games that pit one restaurant against another, leaving it to the readers to decide the final outcomes all the way down to a final four and then a grand championship. (For newbie readers, Olympia's Westside Tavern edged out Tacoma's Maxwell's Restaurant in the final seconds of this year's Tournament of Burgers.) 

The competition for March 2015 will pit 64 South Sound restaurants that offer the ultimate comfort food - macaroni and cheese.

As I explained last week, my goal is to report on a South Sound mac and cheese dish every week up to the tournament - to spread the cheesy word, ease into tournament research and, obviously, build hype. I will highlight the best, skipping reports of orange cheddar and glistening pile of noodles that hold no nutritional value whatsoever.

Let's begin with one of my favorites, the Crown Bar's mac and cheese.

Cougar Gold long ruled the Tacoma neighborhood hangout's mac and cheese dish. The canned cheese from Washington State University's creamery in Pullman elevated the Crown's comfort food dish with an almost gruyére-like nutty, caramel flavor.

Today, Beecher's Handmade Cheese coats Crown's noodles. The artisanal cheese out of Seattle's Pike Place Market isn't a big change in flavor from the Cougar Gold. Beecher's also carries a delicious gruyere, nutty flavor. Chef Charlie McManus coats meaty elbow pasta with the flavorful cheese, then tops it with breadcrumbs. This is unfussy cheese perfection at its finest.

I say it's time to get yourself elbows-deep in some elbows.

CROWN BAR, 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesday-Thursday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m. Sunday, 2705 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4177

You'd best prep your favorite Barry Manilow, Nelly and Journey songs, because you're entrenched in National Karaoke Week. Seriously, this is a thing. National Karaoke Week happens through Saturday, and it's a BFD in some parts of the country. Wait, scratch that - it's apparently a BFD in Tacoma, if a brewery is busting out the karaoke machine.

Narrows Brewing Company hosts a karaoke competition tonight from 7-9 p.m. Need some courage? Head brewer Joe Walts has released a new Double IPA. Oh Mandy! It's going to get Hot in Herre.

Also tonight

Puyallup River Brewing Company will release its first bourbon barrel-aged beer tonight. The Point Success Porter and Mud Mountain Milk Stout were aged in American oak Ghost Owl Bourbon barrels from Parliament Distillery in Sumner. Parliament head distiller Jarrett Tomal and his crew will be at the Puyallup River Alehouse to discuss their business, hand our Parliament swag and, of course, swig some brews. The celebration begins at 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 26

Those in the know know that barley wine isn't wine at all, but a dark, malty ale enjoyed late in the evening. Brewed for a long time with ample sugar, barley wine's alcohol levels tend to top off at about 14 percent. That's about three times the amount in a popular, mass-produced beer. Those in the know know the ParkWay Tavern host its ninth annual Barley Wine Festival from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Expect 30 aged barley wines and Murphy's Barbecue out front. Let's take a look at the schedule taplist:

2007 Anchor Old Foghorn
2007 Full Sail Old Boardhead
2008 Flying Dog Horn Dog
2009 Stone Old Guardian
2010 Fishtale 10(2)
2010 Great Divide Old Ruffian
2010 Hale's Rudyard's Rare
2010 Hopworks Noggin Floggin
2010 Lagunitas Gnarleywine
2010 Rogue Old Crustacean
2010 Red Hook Treblehook
2011 Beer Valley Highway to Ale
2011 Lost Coast Fog Cutter
2011 Port Townsend Barleywine
2012 21st Amendment Lower De Boom
2012 Avery Hog Heaven
2012 Dick's Barleywine
2012 Ninkasi Wheat Wine
2012 Silver City Old Scrooge
2012 Widmer Old Embalmer
2013 Anderson Valley Horn of the Beer
2013 Black Diamond Dried Up Old Geezer
2013 E-9 Thunder Buddies
2013 Epic Barleywine
2013 Mad River John Barleycorn
2013 Oakshire Barleywine
2013 Snipes Rosa
2014 Harmon Barleywine
2014 High Water Old & in the Way
2014 Lazy Boy Barleywine
2014 Sound Old Scoundrel

Those in the know know to program a taxi service on their cell.

Sunday, April 27

Pint Defiance will host German beers for its Sonntag Sampler from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flights of four 4-ounce pours will be served for the cost of a normal pint. You may sample Dr. Fritz Briem 1809 Berlinerweisse, DAB Dortmunder Export, Ayinger Ur Weisse Dunkel and Wiehenstephaner Korbinian Doppelbock. Das ist sehr gut!

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.26.14 >>>

Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri has called on Muslims to kidnap Westerners, particularly Americans.

Russian jets cross into Ukraine airspace.

With Ukraine in turmoil, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel can't get Russian counterpart to take his calls.

Hagel is taking a backseat to other players in the Obama administration when it comes to the crisis in Ukraine. 

Leaders of the Group of Seven major economies agreed to impose extra sanctions on Russia over its intervention in Ukraine.

Five NATO-led service members were killed when a helicopter crashed due to technical failure in southern Afghanistan.

Did Obama just draw another red line in the East China Sea?

Military officials in Europe are pushing back against reports the U.S. was conducting humanitarian assistance projects in Crimea as a ruse to establish a military base in the region.

North Korea denies drones were sent to South.

Military suicides down for active duty, up for reservists.

Army's basic training is no longer basic: Lessons for business.

SpaceX has filed a protest against the U.S. Air Force over the service's decision to award the United Launch Alliance a sole-source block buy of 36 launch cores.

Reserve soldiers augment active-duty drill sergeants.

Cadet Command looking for professors of military science.

With final approach, U-2 pilot's career makes celebrated landing.

5 best submarines of the Cold War.

New rule: Recruits must buy U.S.-made athletic shoes.

The Internet is buzzing right now with the latest, greatest (and potentially fake) Worst Thing Ever. Meet Code Babes, the stripping amalgam of everything that's wrong with tech culture today.

Chances are, you missed Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends comedy special that aired late last night on Adult Swim, but you can catch up online. Guests at the wonderfully random table include True Blood's Dale Dickey, Gilbert Gottfried, Fred Melamed, The Newsroom's Alison Pill and Girls' Alex Karpovsky.

The world premiere of Jim Gaffigan: Obsessed debuts on Comedy Central April 27. Here's a taste.

Hmmm: Beer lollipops

The British Pathé on YouTube newsreel archive has posted more than 80,000 clips of cultural milestones and memories. Check 'em out, even just for all the Mick Jagger stuff.

The former member of Joy Division and New Order has a new book out about one of England's most famous clubs in the '80s and '90s.

Finally: Thanks to Petit Tube, we can graze the surface of all the weird, wonderful, an often disturbing YouTube clips.

Star Wars as you've never seen it before: with really terrible sound effects dubbed in...

Original photo by Defense Imagery Management Operations Center

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 2014 >>>

1. Much has been made of Hobosexual's appropriation and interpretation of-not the '80s-but the idea of the '80s. As evidenced on their most recent LP (titled Hobosexual II, in a spot-on sendup of the oblivious self-aggrandizement that plagued mainstream rock of the '70s and '80s), this is the kind of band that may not have existed in real life, but possibly in the minds of teenagers leading desperately aimless suburban lives. Though they're just a duo of guitar and drums, Hobosexual possesses the expansive sounds of the most ludicrous arena butt-rock. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Hobosexual in the Music & Culture section, then catch the band with Ancient Warlocks, Mos Generator and Infinite Flux at 9 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge.

2. The ninth annual Dragon Boat Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Port Plaza in Olympia. This year 40 local and regional teams - representing all sorts of schools, government agencies and community organizations - will compete. Last year saw such exciting team names as the Snapfire Dragons of Economic Development and Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Maybe the Department of Intertransitional Functioning will represent this year? Additionally, multi-cultural performances will take place, boats will be blessed, and a lion dance will be performed. And maybe a local politician will volunteer to throw themselves in the river.

3. A 4.2 mile run/walk honoring Pat Tillman, a former NFL player who proactively left football fame behind to join the Army when his country was in need, will take place April 26 in Tacoma's Thea's Park at 9 a.m. Tillman, 27, was killed during a 2004 deployment in Afghanistan. An after party will be held at The Swiss Restaurant & Pub.

4. Rock guitarist Nolan Garrett will be debuting new songs from his up and coming EP as well as his new music video as produced by Chris Robinson at 8 p.m. in Louie G's Pizza. Caspian Coberly will open.

5. Bellingham's Polecat will add kick-drum fanfare to its string-steeped mix, rhythmically blending genres and imbuing the quintet's rootsy sound with affable liveliness at 9:30 p.m. in Doyle's Public House.

LINK: Saturday, April 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Bob's Java Jive Tacoma - Central. Dead To Fools, Zook, Ain't Got Time to Bleed. 8 pm.

• The first, discordant sounds to come squealing out of "Necrophilia" legitimately caught me by surprise. Up until that odd guitar sound, Dead to Fools were setting up this song as another tossed-off bit of chugging garage rock - but that modest curve ball reframes the band and suggests slightly more ambition than you might expect. While the rest of the song is the sort of charmingly sloppy Nirvana pastiche you might it expect it to be, there's still a glimmer of inventiveness as play that might reveal itself more as this still-young band grows to find its footing. The casual button-pushing subject matter of their music is hilariously on-the-nose, but Dead to Fools is the kind of band that makes mindless moshing seem like the only proper response. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Polecat. 9 pm. NC.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Fortunate Youth, Los Rakas, The Approach, True Press. 8 pm.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Hysterics. All Ages. 7 pm.

Louie G's Pizza Fife. Nolan Garrett, Caspian Coberly. All Ages. 8 pm. $10.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. The Kareem Kandi Band. All Ages. 8 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Ancient Warlocks, Mos Generator, Hobosexual. 9 pm.

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Whelp, Hemingway, Four Minute Mile, Harvest States. All Ages. 8 pm.

Rhythm & Rye Olympia - Downtown. The Blackberry Bushes Stringband, Oly Mountain Boys. 9 pm. $5.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. High & Lonesome. 8 pm.

Swing Wine Bar & Cafe Olympia - Westside. Vince Brown. 7 pm. NC.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. The Hipsters. 9 pm.

Track House Olympia - Downtown. Metal at the Tracks featuring The Vatican, Countless The Dead, Eusapia, A God Or An Other. 8:30 pm.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. Kendra Shank, John Stowell. All Ages. 8 pm. $10-$15.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Hambone Blues Band. 9 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music Saturday, April 26 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SUNDAY, APRIL 27 2014 >>>

1. Acclaimed British pop songwriter David Gray - a gentle-voiced vocalist known best for his 2000 single "Babylon" - will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Pantages Theater. Gray creates soulful pop that combines folk immediacy with subtle electronic flourishes. His vocals have a tossed-off, over-the-top quality that qualifies him as a cousin to Dave Matthews, and his forthcoming full-length Mutineers should be front and center.

2. Each year, the Lakewood Sister Cities Association holds a three-day festival highlighting the culture of one of its sister cities. This year, the organization is proud to bring the rich culture of Okinawa, Japan to the area with its 2014 International Festival and ArtsFest Celebration. The festival concludes today with a fun-filled lineup planned. Entertainment for the day will include the Shahdaroba Middle Eastern Dance Troupe, the Chang Hee Suk Woman Drummers, Lakewood Playhouse Performers, art exhibits, food, crafts, Kids' Corner and more from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Pierce College in Lakewood.

3. Paul Fritts' organ has a following. In fact, it's so awesome he's being honored for it 2 p.m. in Kilworth Chapel. Fritts and his team of artisans in Tacoma craft thousands of wood and steel components into some of the most graceful and inspiring modern pipe organs in the world. One of these artworks is the Bethel Schneebeck Organ in Kilworth, on the campus of University of Puget Sound, where Fritts graduated in 1973. The public is invited to presentation in Kilworth, which will take place following intermission during the 23rd Annual Bethel Schneebeck Organ Recital, with university organist Joseph Adam performing. The concert will include works by Heinrich Scheidemann, Francois Couperin, Johann Sebastian Bach, César Franck, and Maurice Duruflé. Admission is complimentary and no tickets are required.

4. Little Bill Engelhart is soul on wheels. He’s also probably one of the most inspirational musicians that you’re likely to meet in person. He grew up on Hilltop Tacoma and learned rock ’n’ roll by playing rhythm and blues with the black musicians’ downtown, which was unusual for a young white kid at the time. He formed a band with some of his teenage friends and had a national hit when he was just 19 titled “I’m in Love with an Angel." These days, Little Bill & the Blue Notes play all over the South Sound. But they always make time for the Spar in Old Town, and the quintessential Tacoma restaurant's Sunday Night Blues. Little Bill and the Blue Notes will stop in again at 7 p.m., making it the perfect time for you to drop in.

5. Portland dream pop band WL doesn't suffer from gauzy translucence. Though their songs do hazily float along, there's a very clear backbone to their music, defined by crisp percussion and strong melodies. Nothing by WL sounds like a whale so. Occasionally, some honest-to-goodness aggression peaks its head up through the clouds, as seen on "Sugar Pill," whose fuzzy crunch does wonders for lead singer Misty Mary's serene vocals. Catch the band with Appendixes and Red Alder at 8 p.m. in Northern.

LINK: Sunday, April 27 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Homage.

It is a Middle English word that sums up yesterday's run honoring Pat Tillman.

A noun, homage means a special honor or respect shown publically.

The signature fundraising event of the Pat Tillman Foundation, the run - Pat's Run - is traditionally held in April at Arizona State University's Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

A standout scholar and football player at Arizona State University, Tillman played professionally for the Phoenix Cardinals.

After the attacks of 9/11, Tillman remarked to a reporter, "At times like this you stop and think about just how good we have it, what kind of system we live in, and the freedoms we are allowed.  A lot of my family has gone and fought in wars, and I really haven't done a damn thing."

Placing his NFL career on hold, Tillman enlisted in the Army.  He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

On April 22, 2004 Tillman died in Afghanistan due to fratricide.

>>> A participant in Pat's Run, named in honor of Pat Tillman, crosses the finish line at Thea Park.

His friends and family started the Pat Tillman Foundation to carry forward Tillman's legacy of serving to the fullest by providing military veterans and spouses who embody the principle of service the educational tools and means to reach their potential.

"There was nothing negative about him," commented Tyler Renner, an Air Force reservist. "He was living for others, not for himself, and that is what we honor."

Through a partnership with the ASU Alumni Association, a number of "shadow runs" are held in cities across the country.

This year marked the run's 10th anniversary, and more than 30,000 runners participated nationwide.

The runs are casual, fun runs held in parks.

>>> The Tacoma version of Pat's Run began in Thea's Park at 9 a.m. April 26. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

Approximately 80 runners and walkers showed up at Tacoma's Thea's Park early Saturday morning to raise money for the foundation which funds the Tillman Military Scholars program.

"It's great to be here, to give back," said 1st Lt. Jason Wagner, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, before the start of the 4.2-mile run. "I am one of the scholars who received money from the program to help pay for law school."

According to a statement issued by race promoters, more than 230 Tillman Military Scholars from 34 states have received $3.2 million.

"It is a privilege to publically pay homage to him," said Renner before beginning the run. "His is a cause worth preserving."

>>> Spc. Brandon Judd, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, picks up a flower honoring the Boston Marathon after finishing Pat's Run in Thea Park.Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

>>> TRVLSQD members pack up their gear before shouldering rucksacks and a 150-pound log in memory of a friend's father and in support of the Tillman Military Scholars program.Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.28.14 >>>

Obama administration imposed a new round of targeted economic sanctions against cronies of Russian President Vladimir Putin and 17 companies in response to Russia's involvement in the crisis in Ukraine.

The Philippines and the United States announced they would sign an agreement today to allow a greater US military presence on Filipino soil for the next decade.

America's Treaty Allies: worth going to war over?

U.S. Official: Iran must prove it's not building nuclear weapon.

An Iranian newspaper is reporting that the country's military plans to target a mock-up American aircraft carrier during upcoming war games.

Sequestration is forcing the Defense Department to "literally build two budgets" and, if the automatic cuts are continued, will damage the quality of U.S. weapons systems and deter innovation.

Report: Pentagon to destroy $1B in ammo.

The U.S. Air Force's decision to divest itself of the A-10 has created a massive headache to the service.

An investigation is underway into whether Marine Corps higher-ups retaliated against an officer who accused the commandant, Gen. James Amos, of meddling in a prosecution.

America's gazillion-dollar Joint Strike Fighter is supposed to go virtually unseen when flying over enemy turf. But that's not how things are working out.

More leaders in government, industry and academia disapprove of U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's job performance than approve.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David Bassett: the decades-old Paladin 155mm mobile howitzer system has undergone such a radical upgrade that it's managed essentially as a new program.

Soldier Pay: How much is enough?

West Point wants more women to keep the academy ahead of the curve as the Pentagon lifts restrictions for women in combat jobs.

What Google's really working on.

The Food Luminati have you everywhere you turn: Exposing the Satanic roots of energy drinks.

List: 15 words "you didn't know were coined by famous writers."

John Oliver's new show, Last Week Tonight, has posted a bunch of clips from the premiere on YouTube.

Are These Real?: Lost art of the lurid VHS cover.

Thanks!: Game of Thrones handy family tree.

Wedding crashers apologize after their drunken antics go viral.

This movie looks cool ...

Original photo by Lt. Col. Keith Moore, Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs