MONDAY, APRIL 28 2014 >>>

1. The Swiss Restaurant & Pub celebrates its 21st birthday will run 11 a.m. to close. The Swiss and 7 Seas Brewing in Gig Harbor collaborated on a special imperial red ale for the occasion, which will be released at 11 a.m. Raffle prizes will be doled out on the 21st minute of every hour. Junkyard Jane will hit the stage at 8 p.m., normal starting time for bands during The Swiss' popular weekly Monday Night Blues sessions. The show and party are free. 

2. Cocktail aficionado Hilltop Kitchen hosts a Vino de Mezcal tasting at 2 p.m. That's right, artisanal mezcal on a Monday afternoon. So nice. The entire line of Vino de Mezcal from Fundación Agaves Silvestres will be poured as daylight shines through the Hilltop Tacoma lounge. The $45 ticket price includes the taster flight of seven mezcals and light snacks. This is a delightful opportunity to discover something new and gain boozy insight and knowledge. The man behind these spirits, Erick "Alma Mezcalera," will be in the house. Tickets are at brownpapertickets.com.

3. The Weekly Volcano's art critic's prose will be read by the Weekly Volcano's theater critic at Creative Colloquay, which was founded by the Weekly Volcano's food critic. The literary event will also feature storytellers Jack Cameron, Titus Burley, J Anne Fullerton and David Mucklow reading from their works. An open mic follows. Talk may be cheap, but Creative Colloquay is free. Step up at 7 p.m. in the B Sharp Coffee House.

4. The Tacoma Cult Movie Club continues its homage to Mike Vraney of Something Weird Video with screenings at 7 p.m. in the Acme Grub Cage. Besides free admission and popcorn, expect a large raffle, which will include gift certificates from Olympic Cards and Comics.

5. Jazzbones has amped up its weekly live band karaoke. For the past six weeks it has hosted a singing contest with the grand prize being two nights and flight to Las Vegas. Tonight at 9 p.m. is the finals. 

LINK: Monday, April 28 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Regardless of whether the weather in mid-June is chilly in Tacoma, it will be a chili June, thanks to the 100.7 The Wolf inaugural Hometown Throwdown Concert and Homestyle Chili Cook Off, which is slated for June 14 at Cheney Stadium. Let's read après release:

Entercom Seattle's 100.7 The Wolf (KKWF) announced its lineup today for the inaugural Hometown Throwdown Concert. A full day of fun for the whole family, Hometown Throwdown features an all day concert and Homestyle Chili Cook Off for just $25. The Wolf Rising Stars playing June 14^th include Dan + Shay, Danielle Bradbery, Lindsay Ell, American Young, Joel Crause, Kelleigh Bannen, Joey Hyde, Rae Solomon, Sammy Steele, and Robbie Walden.

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It's official: Beyonce and Jay Z announced their summer stadium tour. They've altered the name somewhat, freshly dubbing it "On the Run Tour. The tour will hit Seattle's Safeco Field July 30. Members of Beyoncé's Fan Club will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Tuesday, April 29 at 8am local time. For details visit: www.beyonce.com/tour.Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, May. 2.

Harmon Brewing Company announced today that on May Day, Thursday May 1, all four HBC locations will donate 10 percent of food sales to the American Red Cross in support of disaster relief for the OSO community. Those locations are: Harmon Brewing Company at South 19th and Pacific Avenue downtown Tacoma, The Hub and Harmon Tap Room complex near Tacoma's Stadium District and the new Hub at the Narrows Airport in Gig Harbor.

"We will also collect blankets, clothes, and other useful items as people see fit to donate," said co-owner Pat Nagle in a news release. The human Jukebox Steve Stefanowicz will perform as part of the benefit from 6-9 p.m. at the Harmon Brewery & Eatery in downtown Tacoma.

For more information, keep an eye on Harmon's Facebook page. 

ALSO TODAY

The Swiss Restaurant and Pub celebrates its 21st birthday today with a special Imperial Red Ale brewed with 7 Seas Brewing, Junkyard Jane band, raffles and more. For the full story, click here.

99 Bottles in Federal Way has announced its special tasting pours of the week: Pedal Strike Pale Ale, Resignation Brewery's KCCO Black Lager, Port Townsend Brewing's Porter and The Lost Abbey's Agave Maria Ale.

TUESDAY, APRIL 27

The Topside Bar & Grill in Steilacoom hosts Elysian Brewing for a brewery night beginning at 6 p.m. Four Elysian beers will be on tap, next to the Men's Room Red, which is its featured brew of the month.

THEN THERE'S THIS...

Did you hear about Wingman Brewers in Tacoma making HiConsumption lifestyle magazine's list of the 15 best American porters? It's true.

Let's look at a few photos from Saturday's Barleywine Festival at the ParkWay Tavern.

SEE ALSO

Gig Harbor Beer Festival is on its way

The Seattle Mariners professional baseball team hosted its 13th annual Salute to Armed Forces event April 26 during a game against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field.

The festivities kicked off an hour prior to the game, with a special pre-game program that honored U.S. Armed Forces, veterans and military service supporting organizations.

"We feel strongly that it is appropriate and important to pay tribute to the men and women who serve our country in the military," said Seattle Mariners Director of Public Information Rebecca Hale.  "The biggest change over the years is how inclusive it has become to all the branches of the military, as well as veterans and disabled veterans groups now being represented. Our goal is to be as inclusive as we can be and to pay tribute to as many individuals and organizations as we can."

A member from each branch of the military - Army Staff Sgt. Rodney Greenway; Marine Corps Sgt. Ariel Hargave; Navy Master at Arms 1st Class Joseph Reyes; Air Force Reserve Maj. Marc Miller; Coast Guard Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jason Gale; and Washington National Guard Staff Sgt. Jason Fox - lined up along the baseline prior to the game to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"It feels pretty good right now, knowing that I will be throwing out a first pitch," said Fox, who works with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment.  "It will be a little interesting, trying to throw a pitch in my service uniform, but I think I can get it accomplished."

>>> Col. William Krueger receives a commemorative plaque on behalf of the U.S. Air Force from the Seattle Mariners during the Salute to Armed Forces Night at Safeco on April 26. Photo credit: Gary Lott

>>> Col. Jeremy Horn, Washington National Guard, receives a plaque from the Seattle Mariners. Photo credit: Gary Lott

This was just the beginning of a night dedicated to America's men and women in uniform.

The Mariners also presented officers from each of the U.S. military branches with a  commemorative plaque. Those receiving plaques were: Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, U.S. Army; Maj. Gen. David Berger, U.S. Marine Corps; Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, U.S. Navy; Col. William Krueger, U.S. Air Force; Capt. Matthew Miller, U.S. Coast Guard; and Col. Jeremy Horn, Washington National Guard, on behalf of Brig. Gen. John Tuohy.

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord I Corps Army Band performed the National Anthem, and the colors were presented by the U.S. Joint Service Honor Guard. "Taps" was performed by Army Spc. Raymond Deleon, and during the 7th Inning Stretch, Tech. Sgt. Alfredo "Freddie" Garza of the U.S. Air Force Reserve performed "God Bless America."  

Along with the many military representatives on the field, organizations including the Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Washington State Guard and Reserve and the USO were introduced during the pregame ceremony.

Organization representatives handled the honorary duties of delivering the lineup cards and game balls.

Fans had the opportunity to support the USO by bidding on silent auction items such as autographed baseballs, game-used items and other memorabilia.

>>> Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Army I Corps Band performs the National Anthem before the Seattle Mariners played the Texas Rangers April 26. Photo credit: Gary Lott

>>> Washington National Guardsmen Staff Sgt. Jason Fox, Bravo Company, 1-161, throws out one of the six ceremonial first pitches at the 13th Annual Mariners Salute to Armed Forces. Photo credit: Gary Lott

"Because we are located in a community that is close to so many military installations, we recognize that there are a lot of fans who are associated with the military," Hale said. Discounted tickets for the game - as low as $11 - were available to members of the military.

 "This year, we have made the discount a blanket 10 percent for all remaining games. So if you're coming from Whidbey, or Bremerton or JBLM, it might be a little easier to come on a Friday night or a weekend than a week night," Hale continued.  "Offering a discount is one small way we can show our appreciation to the men and women, and their families, who have served our nation."

Military personnel receive 10 percent off select main, terrace and view-level seats for all home game tickets on the Mariners 2014 home schedule. Tickets are available at mariners.com/tickets.

"I'm honored and blessed that I'm actually able to come out and do something like this to support my unit," Fox said. "A lot of us have been out on deployments overseas and seen some bad things. It's nice to see that [the Mariners] recognize what we have done, as well as what the service members in the past have done." 

SEE ALSO McChord security forces reservist sings during Mariners' Salture to Services game

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.29.14 >>>

A pair of back-to-back bombs ripped through an outdoor market northeast of Baghdad today, killing at least 17 people and wounding 42.

Negotiators from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have arrived in Ukraine to try and win the release of an international observer team that has been held hostage by separatist forces in the town of Slavyansk in the eastern Ukraine since April 25.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu assured Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel during a phone call yesterday that Russian forces would not invade Ukraine, according to the Pentagon. 

The U.S. will focus on economic sanctions against Russia and put Ukraine's pleas for U.S. weaponry on the backburner.

North Korea conducted live-fire artillery drills near its disputed western sea boundary today.

How will the Ukraine crisis affect the defense budget? The more US Reps. Mac Thornberry of Texas and Rick Larsen of Washington state spoke yesterday, the more clear it became just how far apart the former's Republican Party and the latter's Democratic Party stand on national security issues.

While Obama scored points with skeptical Asian allies simply by showing up, not everything followed the White House plan. 

Foreign Policy: From bad to none.

U.S. Special Operations Command issued a formal request for "Advancement of Technologies in Equipment for Use by U.S. Special Operations Forces."

The mystery jets that were spotted over Amarillo, Texas, and Wichita, Kan. earlier this year are in fact Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bombers on a training sortie.

Army increases in-flight situational awareness for rapid response forces.

Marine dirt bike "gangs" of Afghanistan.

The U.S. Navy announced a record $17.645 billion contract to build 10 new SSN 774 Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Defense Department CIO Teri Takai is set to step down in the coming days.

Report backs The New York Times op-ed piece linking vets to hate groups.

Amazing timelapse of massive 7-ft long Lego Serenity spaceship.

This bastard kills more humans than all the deadliest animals combines.

A 3,500-year-old NYC monument is being cleaned with freaking lasers.

Craig Ferguson is leaving The Late Late Show.

The Daily Show just hired a new correspondent.

Showtime put the premiere of its new monster-themed series, Penny Dreadful, on YouTube.

If Jedis from Star Wars fought wizards from Harry Potter, who wins?

Finally: Check out a comprehensive list of all of Don Draper's clients on Mad Men.

It's a looking glass into the past...

LINK: Original photo by Spc. Mike MacLeod

TUESDAY, APRIL 29 2014 >>>

1. Thursday marks the beginning of National Bike Month. In Tacoma and Pierce County, employees are encouraged to do lots of bike stuff, and ride their bicycles to work.  According to commute co-op Pierce Trips, if you live within five miles of your workplace, biking may not be as hard as you think. With gas hitting $3.75 a gallon, we thinks Bike to Work Month is gonna be crackin' this year. Planning to organize a Tacoma-Pierce County Bike Commuter Challenge Team? Enjoy food and drink specials while picking up special Captain's Packet with Bike Month incentives to help you and your team get in gear from 5-7 p.m. at the Harmon Tap Room.

2. Sure, you know about cow-tipping and daffodils ... but what do you really know about Sumner? Carmen Palmer and Paul Rogerson will share the histories and stories of Sumner at 6 p.m. in the Sumner Pierce County Library. They will discuss their book, Sumner, a new volume in the award-winning local history series, Images of America.

3. "Now Wally, I want you to go in the living room and pick up those orange peels that you left on the coffee table. If your father comes home and sees them he'll be in a terrible mood all through dinner and won't let you and The Beaves rock the Red Wind Casino at 6:30 p.m." - June Cleaver

4. Not that anyone needs another excuse to eat tacos, but Southbay Dickerson's BBQ in Olympia has declared Tuesday the day of the taco. And while barbecue and tacos may not sound harmonious on the surface, the principle behind "low and slow" cooking crosses any border. These hybrid tacos come with slow-cooked pork shoulder or smoked chicken for $1.50 a piece. To take Taco Tuesday to the next level, Southbay invites the Don Cohen Jazz Quartet to fill its Pig Bar with jazz at 8 p.m. Five dollar margaritas just make the night crazy delicious.

5. Pacific Lutheran University Singers and Men's Chorus under the direction of Brian Galante and Nathan Frank perform at 8 p.m. in Lagerquist Concert Hall.

LINK: Tuesday, April 29 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

What do the follow things have in common: painter Chuck Close, glass artist William Morris, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Tacoma's Antique Row, a Russian rescue mission, a flying pig, filmmaking and the Seattle Seahawks?

They are the intertwined subjects (yes, really) connected to local, national and international Camano Island artist Jack Gunter's wild ride of art, auctions, action, adventure, filmmaking and international intrigue.

It all began in 1989 with SeaTac airport. (Important note: you think the random subjects were going to end in the opening paragraph? Well, think again and buckle up folks, we are just getting started)!

OK, so SeaTac needed another runway to expand its operations, and Stanwood, Wash., was one of the targeted options. Gunter "reacted" to that news by creating 17 paintings depicting airplanes crashing into the town's most beloved and iconic features. The paintings were a hit (and the runway headed south).

Now, enter the Russians.

Later that year, a group of folks from Siberia touched down in the Pacific Northwest to promote economic understanding and support on a friendship mission. The group's leader, Valeryan Ivanchenko, met Gunter and liked his work. That led to an invitation to take his aforementioned paintings to the then-Soviet Union for exhibitions. Three museums featured the art. The exhibition was well received and a smash success.

The following year, Gunter flew overseas to retrieve his art and take it home; but alas, his plans turned into one giant debacle (paperwork problems, customs issues, bureaucratic screw-ups) and $80,000 worth of art remained behind in the basement of a Siberian museum.

Gunter vowed to return to reclaim his paintings.

Fast forward to 24 years later and Facebook (oh, yeah, that's right; Facebook).

Ivanchenko and Gunter regained contact through social media and Gunter learned that his paintings were alive and well. So, what was Gunter's next move?

Well, to put together a rescue team of course! So, you're probably thinking Navy Seals or secret spies, yes? Well, think again.

"I gathered two filmmakers for the rescue team," said Gunter. "We picked up about $8,000 in camera equipment, the best small and high tech stuff we could get, because we had to film surreptitiously."

And these weren't just any filmmakers either. Jesse Collver, a filmmaker and actor who happens to work on this little show called CSI:NY and Ken Rowe, an award-winning filmmaker and film professor. So, armed with his crack team, they headed to Siberia to a large town near the Mongolian border armed with their film gear and six Marshawn Lynch Seahawks game jerseys (uh huh, really).

"We had big media coverage in Russia," smiles Gunter. "We were there for 11 days filming the rescue attempt and our quest to find the paintings."

One of Gunter's talk show appearances went 12th Man when a show staffer donned a Seahawks jersey, jumped in front of the camera and chanted "Go Hawks!" to one million Russian viewers. The jersey also made its appearance in a yurt in Mongolia during a special blessing ceremony to find the paintings. The woman who conducted the ceremony donned a jersey, too and chanted the infamous slogan too.

The film, Siberian Rescue: The Documentary Film, is currently being put together. The narrator is one of Gunter's iconic and animated flying pigs; the pig will be voiced by none other than Andrei Codrescu, of NPR, All Things Considered fame.

See, what did I tell you? Beautiful randomness seems to follow Gunter wherever this journey takes him.

So what the hell does this film have to do with Chuck Close, William Morris and Frank Lloyd Wright?

Well, Gunter has recently gotten his hands on some really cool stuff along with some of his own collection that is going to auction at 10 a.m. May 3 at Sanford and Son Antiques in downtown Tacoma's Antique Row, and online to help fund the movie. The artist also has a Go Fund Me page for the film project as well.

>>> William Morris, "Ryton," blown and sculptured glass, 4" x 3" x 4", 1996, up for auction at Sanford and Son Antiques May 3.

Just some of the many featured items include a Chuck Close mural discovered in a Lake Stevens home, a William Morris original creation (from one of Gunter's "Honey, I Shrunk the Art" past events) and a Frank Lloyd Wright bed from his private collection that he "...chased for years and 10,000 miles." All three have larger than life stories of course, and continues Gunter's brush with the random. Here's just one of the stories.

"This lady stopped by my gallery and told me she bought a house that Close owned in Lake Stevens," says Gunter. "He painted inside the house. So, the lady said they found these doors. I told her to put the doors all together like a puzzle, just for fun."

"The result was 88 by 60 mural; it's a complete image. And this is "real" art, not doodling. She asked me to help me sell it, so I am representing the family. I am so thrilled that it all came together."

"This is pretty high altitude for Antique Row, don't you think?"

Uh, yeah.

To learn more about the upcoming May 3 auction at Sanford and Son Antiques, visit its Facebook page and the online auction site. Siberian Rescue: The Documentary Film has a Go Fund Me page.

Coffee house nibbles are often slim pickings featuring delectable baked goods and not much else. B Sharp Coffee House though is a whole other beast with a menu highlighting housemade sandwiches, flatbreads and starter platters featuring veggies, cheeses and charcuteries - though yummy baked goods are within arm's reach.

Among the selection is their hummus plate ($6.99). This dish is simple. Tasty hummus sits atop of a bed of fresh spinach leaves surrounded by generous amounts of broccoli, carrots, grape tomatoes and pita slices. With a dash of pepper for taste, this shareable starter is a healthy light snack.

Pair with a Bluebeard Coffee concoction, glass of vino or a cold one from B Sharp's impressive craft beer selection and you have yourself a winner.

B Sharp Coffee House's ambiance is cool to boot, meshing artsy and comfort in a nice little package.

Keep an eye on bsharpcoffeehouse.com for its Friday and Saturday live entertainment.

B SHARP COFFEE HOUSE, 406 Opera Alley, Tacoma, 253.292.9969

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.30.14 >>>

Masked gunmen in military fatigues took control of a government building in another Ukrainian town.

Unshaken by the latest surge in violence, Iraqis braved the threat of bombs and attacks to vote today in key elections for a new parliament amid a massive security operation as the country slides deeper into sectarian strife.

A new defense pact reflects closer U.S.-Philippine ties.

President Obama's pivot to Asia will lack a crucial military underpinning next year, when for four months, the Navy will not have an aircraft carrier in the region.

China's A2/AD capabilities have many in Washington worried. America's land forces could help. 

Senator: Benghazi e-mails reveal White House misinformation.

Secretary of State John Kerry accused Moscow of accelerating the crisis in Ukraine instead of sticking to an agreement to ratchet back tensions.

The United States has proof that the Russian government in Moscow is running a network of spies inside eastern Ukraine.

The fate of the A-10 close-air support platform has been the most contentious issue between the Air Force and Congress over the last six months. If comments made yesterday are any indication, it's a fight that isn't going away.

House lawmakers have rejected proposed cuts in housing allowances and commissary funding, as well as an overhaul of the Tricare system that would increase out-of-pocket costs for some beneficiaries.

The House Seapower subcommittee markup that was revealed yesterday offered at least one surprise - cutting the Navy's request for three littoral combat ships to only two - but the bill supports the other new ship requests, including two destroyers and two submarines.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed all of the services to review their hairstyle policies in response to a letter from the Congressional Black Caucus.

Hagel's defense cuts: a good idea.

The Air Force chief of staff explored the proper force ratio between the service's active duty and reserve components in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Army's most iconic helicopter is about to go pilotless.

Michael D. Shear examines how popular culture has incorporated the issues that President Obama has faced.

What happens when a normal guy gets to fly in a Thunderbird F-16.

Finally: Sunglasses that ping your phone when you leave them behind.

The cast of the new Star Wars movie has been announced.

Carrie Fisher is auctioning a bunch of her rare Star Wars stuff.

Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5), Bill Rieflin (Swans, Ministry), and Kurt Bloch (ex-Fastbacks) have formed the band super-Earth.

Finally: Road House fight chart.

OK, stop doing whatever the heck you're doing, because this is it. ...

LINK: Original photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane