Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: April, 2014 (126) Currently Viewing: 71 - 80 of 126

April 17, 2014 at 7:35am

5 Things To Do Today: Art Bus, Doyle's anniversary, "Fort McCoy," Twang Junkies and more ...

The Tacoma Art Bus pays tribute to the Easter Bunny tonight.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17 2014 >>>

1. This Sunday, families all over the South Sound will participate in the tradition of searching for hundreds of hidden eggs to prevent our fair region from smelling like a rotten omelet come summer. Yup, it's Easter - bunnies toting around baskets with colorful dyed eggs and candy to hide for sugar-addled children. If the regular old egg hunt just won't satisfy, consider an early adult egg hunt on the Art Bus. The third Thursday bus tour to Tacoma galleries, businesses and venues hanging art goes bunny hop tonight, handing out bunny ears to riders and inviting them to search for eggs at each stop, all under the careful watch of tour guide Rep. Jake Fey of the 27th District. As always, there will be VIP swag bags, hugs, plenty of art and pizza provided by Puget Sound Pizza. Details can be found at tacomaartbus.com.

2. The 4th Annual TCC Diversity Film Festival rolls on with Fort McCoy, the latest from directors Kate Connor and Michael Worth, which tells the story of Frank Stirn (Eric Stoltz), a man who earns his living in WWII-era Wisconsin working as a barber for the Army at nearby Fort McCoy. Business is good - Frank caters to both American military personnel and to the Nazi POWs that are his new neighbors. Catch it at 2 and 6:30 p.m. in The Grand Cinema.

3. The Collins Memorial Library, at the University of Puget Sound, invites the public to join a lively and informative discussion on current research, unique resources and rare books that are part of the University of Puget Sound Collections. At 4 p.m. in Collins,C. Mark Smith ('61) will join four student curators to discuss the life and times of Professor Lyle "Stan" Shelmidine who taught Middle Eastern History and the creation of the Collins Library exhibit, "Stan!," featuring artifacts and documents from Shelmidine's Collection. Learn about Middle Eastern art and architecture and explore the library and life of a Puget Sound icon.

4. Doyle's Public House will combine its monthly St. Practice Day party with its eighth anniversary celebration beginning with the standard hoisting pints at 5:17 p.m. to recognize pint club achievements and welcome new members, followed by hugs, drinking and music from The Cold 102's at 8 p.m. No cover, as always. Click here for the story on how Doyle's came to be.

5. The Twang Junkies will fill The Swiss with rockin' country tunes beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, April 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

April 17, 2014 at 12:57pm

Q&A: The Sonics' Rob Lind on working with Jimmi Davies and the split 7-inch with Mudhoney

Olympia rocker Jimmi Davies, left, performs with Rob Lind and The Sonics. Photo credit: Steve Stav

This week, I chatted with Olympia coppersmith, motor head, artist and musician Jimmi Davies about his experience recording with quintessential Northwest band, The Sonics. You can read my story here.

Last night, I had the opportunity to chat with Rob Lind, saxophonist The Sonics, who shares what it was like working with Davies, where you can find their split 7" with Mudhoney and an update on his own projects. Enjoy.

WEEKLY VOLCANO:  How did you hook up with Jimmi Davies?

ROB LIND: I became friends with Jimmi a couple years ago when we played at a theater in Olympia and his band, The Dirty Birds, opened for us.

To begin with, The Birds were very good and I immediately noticed that their sax player played just like I do ... sort of hard to describe, but dirty, growling rock sax. There are many beautiful sounding, pretty jazz sax players around, most of whom are far better musicians that I am, but for the type of straight ahead, hard rock and roll as played by The Sonics ... dirty, "Attack Sax" like Jimmi and I play, is much more appropriate. I also noticed that he's a wonderful blues harp player. I play harp on several songs as well, but Jimmi is a far better harp player than I am.

He and I got to talking after his set and as The Sonics got to the end of our set and started our last song, "The Witch," I noticed Jimmi standing in the wings, holding his sax and looking tentatively like he wanted to come out on stage and play, so I motioned for him to come ahead and the two of us combined on "The Witch."

Jimmi is a good friend and great to work with.

VOLCANO: What are your thoughts on "Bad Betty," the song Davies collaborated with The Sonics, which ended up on a split 7" with Mudhoney, an exclusive release for Record Store Day?

LIND: Last spring, as we were preparing to do the new album, I put word out to some of my musician friends, that if they would like to submit music to us, we'd consider it for our new album. Jimmi and some friends worked up "Betty" and submitted it. When I heard it I knew the core of a Sonics song was there. I wrote a different riff and the solo section to make it drive a little harder, in line with our way of playing. Jimmi wrote the words, which are inventive and also write in line with Sonic's sounds. Jim Diamond, our record producer from Detroit, loved the combination and we put it on the album. Muddy Roots Records had all our album songs to choose from for the single and they chose "Betty." Not bad for a couple sax players!

VOLCANO: If folks miss the 7" on Record Store Day, will they still be able to get their paws on a copy of the split?

LIND: I'm not real sure about how to get a copy outside of Record Store Day. We will be selling them at our shows as long as our supply lasts.

VOLCANO: Is there an anticipated date for your upcoming release that includes Davies on harmonica?

LIND: As far as a release date, we're hoping by August. Our lawyer is doing negotiations with a label right now and God only knows how long that process will be! The music is done, however.

VOLCANO: Anything else you'd like to add?

ROB LIND: On the song "Leavin' Here," the band wanted me to play a harmonica solo and I immediately remembered how good Jimmi was, so I asked him if he'd like to come to the studio and play a solo. He graciously consented and then proceeded to play an amazing solo in one take! Geez ... I hate that guy!!

Filed under: Music, Olympia,

April 17, 2014 at 3:07pm

The Swiss' inaugural beer dinner sets a high bar

Georgetown Brewing Company took over the taps at The Swiss Restaurant and Pub Wednesday, April 16. Photo credit: Pappi Swarner

Toward the beginning of last night's Georgetown Brewing Company beer dinner at The Swiss Restaurant and Pub, Manny Chao, Georgetown's co-owner and brewmaster, explained why it was an honor that his company be the first brewery Swiss owner Jack McQuade invited to dinner. The two go way back.

Chao met McQuade some 20 years ago when he was the first employee at Mac and Jack's. With Chao's help, Mac and Jack's amber ale became the third best selling craft brew in the state. Five years later Chao left Mac and Jack's and by 2002, he and his housemate, Roger Bialous, homebrewed their first beer - Manny's Pale Ale. In 2003, Chao was back in front of McQuade, this time selling his Manny's Pale Ale, from his new Georgetown Brewing Company located in Seattle's Georgetown district.

That introduction set an appropriate tone for what was to come at The Swiss' inaugural beer dinner. Chao and his sales rep, Garrett Miller, knowledgeably guided about 25 diners through Chef Scott Cleese's four masterfully prepared courses, excellently paired with Georgetown's selection of beers.

As noted, it was McQuade's first hosted beer dinner. The smile never left his face. He was proud to have his friend Manny in the house, proud of Cleese's dishes and proud that the inaugural crowd was a joyous group, chatty and truly interested in the education and tastes. Inaugural also means a chance to learn. The beer pours were enormous. By the seventh beer, I was speaking in gibberish. McQuade, who debuted new dishware and glassware for the event, could have easily poured half the amount and still called it a success.

Before the food arrived, Georgetown passed out full glasses of Roger's Pilsner, with Yakima-grown Czech-style Sterling hops, just to get the ball rolling.

For the first course, Chef Cleese created a cheddar potato ale soup, incorporating Manny's Pale Ale into the mixture. Cleese's goal was to hold as much sweetness from ale as he could, which he pulled off.

For the salad course, the kitchen marinated red onions over in Georgetown's Superchopp Red Ale, then added them to their steak salad with malted certified angus ball tip sirloin, bleu cheese crumbles, cherry tomatoes and a balsamic dressing. This was paired with the Superchopp, a derivative of Chopper's Red Ale, which was named after the brewery's third owner and operations manager, Brett Chopp. The Superchopp is hopbursted, which means the bitter hop and the aroma hop are both added at the end of the process.

My favorite pairing was the third course, monkfish lightly floured and seared on a grill with orange butter sauce served over a pan seared potato patty with braised season greens. Tasty. The citrus flavors of the Lucille IPA paired well. Georgetown's IPA master, Reid Spencer, named the beer after the car wash scene in Cool Hand Luke.

And for dessert: a housemade chocolate brownie with vanilla bean ice cream; Lisa's Chocolate Stout was the brew paired with this one, and a special sweet reduction of the stout was used in the dessert.

Yum.

The night ended with, yes, more beer: a delicious 11.4 percent, fruity Kiss Ass Blaster Triple IPA, which was low on the bitterness for a giant IPA.

If you missed this dinner and are aching to go to one now, don't fret. According to McQuade, The Swiss will have pairing dinners regularly. In the meantime, here are a few awesome people I met last night.

SEE ALSO

The Swiss Restaurant and Pub turns 21

April 18, 2014 at 7:16am

Friday Morning Joe: Ukraine talks, Russian spy planes, Army restructure, Google Glass battlefield, robot uprising, turntable snowboard ...

Start your morning off in a lovely, peaceful way at Two Teaspoons Cafe in Steilacoom.

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.18.14 >>>

U.S., EU, Ukraine and Russia have agreed to talks.

Supreme Allied Commander Europe and four-star chief of US European Comman, Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove says armed attackers in Ukraine are Russian troops in disguise.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel pledged more non-lethal U.S. aid to Ukraine's military.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff will try to persuade senators they risk a crisis if they don't slow growth in military compensation.

Pentagon moves to block Russian spy plane in American skies.

Anger and dismay at stalled Guantanamo 9/11 trial.

Soldiers have options to explore before Army restructure.

Air Force researchers test Google Glass for battlefield use.

Navy report could clear way for Marines' move from Okinawa to Guam.

A fourth member of the Navy has been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery in a multimillion-dollar scheme involving a Singapore-based defense contractor accused of providing cash, vacations, electronics and prostitutes in exchange for classified information.

Why there will be a robot uprising.

The price tag for the Lockheed Martin F-35 joint strike fighter, the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program, increased $7.4 billion in 2013.

Methane hydrate, colloquially known as Fire Ice, is being discussed as the energy of the future.

Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic talk about their one-night-only reunion at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony (and afterward).

Turntable snowboard brings the party to the slopes.

Watch the latest Louie promo.

Spend the night in a treehouse.

List: Star Wars facts you may not already know.

Finally: 16 Delicious Facts About Peeps.

Bring High Tide Harry's to the South Sound now!

April 18, 2014 at 7:43am

5 Things To Do Today: "The Odd Couple," green films, Joe Louis Walker, Pink Martini and more ...

"The Odd Couple" opens tonight at the Lakewood Playhouse. Artwork by James Stowe

FRIDAY, APRIL 18 2014 >>>

1. Neil Simon's recipe for onstage success: Take two people with conflicting personalities. Put them in confined living quarters. Add a sprinkle of personal hygiene jokes. Allow the tension to rise for about an hour. Cool. Serve. Enjoy The Odd Couple at 8 p.m. at the Lakewood Playhouse.

2. Enlarge your geo-wareness this weekend at the Capitol Theater's Environmental Film Festival (April 18-20). The film festival kicks of tonight at 7 p.m. with ML Lincoln's documentary Wrenched, which looks at how art inspired life, with Edward Abbey's Monkeywrench Gang fiction inspiring the direct-action tactics of a new generation of eco-activists.

3. Pink Martini's blend of American swing, Latin rhythms and chamber arrangements, along with vocals in five languages, give the group's largely original material mass appeal - meaning the audiences consist of people who normally don't sit next to each other. Thomas Lauderdale of Portland, Oregon, founded the "little orchestra" Pink Martini in 1994. It has gone on to become a genre unto itself. We adore the band's cosmopolitan mix of Disneyfied Latin rhythms, cabaret Orientalia and Arabic tunes kissed with carnival atmospherics and ragtime horns. Catch the band with the von Trapp Family Singers at 7:30 p.m. in the Pantages Theater.

4. Blues Hall Of Fame guitarist Joe Louis Walker celebrates the release of his new Alligator album, Hornest's Nest, with a live performance at 8 p.m. in Jazzbones. Expect equal parts rock 'n' roll fire and blistering blues. 

5. The folk-rock duo of Justin Stang and Jim Elenteny  - also known as Science! - is infectious and will easily rock their first night at the newly-opened Rhythm and Rye. Expect smiles, fun, dance moves, riffs that send chills, sparkly eyes, good cold beer, high fives, shots and new music from one of the best bands in Olympia, at 9 p.m.

LINK: Friday, April 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

April 18, 2014 at 2:17pm

Mac and Cheese Madness!

These two items combined is crazy delicious.

I haven't worked off the 20 pounds of weight gained during the Tournament of Burgers. In fact, the extra weight has become my friend. The fat and I reminisce about each burger joint, becoming all mushy and nostalgic over a last call burger at Shake Shake Shake, pairing Manhattans with Maxwell's Walker Burger, eating smoked burgers next to someone getting canned at Famous Dave's, playing human pinball at Five Guys in Lakewood, a rowdy Friday burger night at Tournament of Burgers Champion Westside Tavern, and so on.

Since announcing mac and cheese will be next year's tournament, my body fat is all ready thumbing through the Big and Tall catalog.

I'm prepared to begin the mac and cheese madness immediately. Why wait? Send that lentil soup back in the kitchen! That tramp will go through me in 30 minutes. My goal is to report on a South Sound mac and cheese dish every week. Those who have followed my past columns know I will most likely fail. And, dropping in on Tacoma's STINK Cheese & Meat for its weekly mac and cheese special doesn't count, although I will not surrender that pleasure.

Let's start with my favorite mac and cheese recipe.

The first time I made macaroni and cheese, I followed the official CIA (Culinary Institute of America) recipe. It took me approximately four hours, utilized two French "Mother" sauces, cost me about $10 to make and tasted mediocre. I won't be doing that again soon. I've since learned that cheese choice; plenty of preferably fresh breadcrumbs, and ample baking time can make all the difference. One very simple recipe that turned out delicious:

Aged Gouda and Campanelle

Put a large pot of lightly salted water on to boil the campanelle (campanelle, or pig's ear pasta, is a broad, curly edged pasta that soaks up sauces beautifully. It's available at most grocery stores). Once the water is boiling, you'll want to add about a pound, pound and a half of pasta to it. Take about four slabs of bacon and fry them until they're crisp. Set on a towel to drain fat. In a medium sized saucepan, heat one-and-a-half cups of half and half until nearly boiling. Throw in 2 Tablespoons of butter and watch it melt. Pretty, right? Now you want about 3/4 of a pound of shredded quality, aged Gouda. Make sure it's aged, or you will have a very bland casserole.

Stir this mixture over medium-low heat until the cheese is smooth. Now, I was naughty at this point and just couldn't resist grabbing a spoonful of freshly rendered bacon fat out of the sauté pan beside me and tossing it into the sauce as I stirred it. Not necessary. But it sure makes things taste good. Turn the heat off, drain your pasta (as long as it's al dente) and throw it in a bowl. Crumble the bacon into the pasta and toss. Pour the cheese over the pasta/bacon and toss again. Pour the mixture into a buttered casserole (I used a 10-inch cake tin). You can sprinkle with black/white pepper, cayenne, or even something sweet like cardamom or cinnamon on top. You probably won't need to add salt unless you've omitted the bacon.

Now take a dry old hunk of good bread and grate the daylights out of it to cover the top (you can pre-grate if you want to avoid a crumb mess from the guaranteed misfires). Some people at this point would throw on a couple pats of butter. I think I already hit the decadence quota with the pig fat. Your choice. Bake it until the crumbs are toasted and the cheese is bubbling. Eat with impunity.

Well, time to stick a feather in my hat and call it macaroni, whatever the hell that means.

April 19, 2014 at 7:49am

Saturday Morning Joe: U.S. ground troops to Europe, Guard loses Apaches, Army Iron Man suit update, invisible mirror, Food Club ...

A Rhapsody in Bloom on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue is a flower shop and espresso house.

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.19.14 >>>

U.S. ground troops to be sent to Poland and Estonia.

The U.S. Army plans to retire 798 aircraft and transfer AH-64 Apaches from the Guard to active duty units.

How the U.S. made its problem with Putin worse.

The U.S. Senate's top Republican said America should send weapons to the Ukrainian military as that country teeters on the brink of war with Russia.

How to navigate the East China Sea dispute between Japan and China.

Marine to receive Navy Cross for heroism in Afghanistan.

Air Force Wounded Warrior program officials announced the names of the athletes to represent the Air Force during the 2014 Warrior Games and the Invictus Games.

SOCOM lists Iron Man suit collaborators.

One of the most advance undersea drones contracted by the U.S. Navy is getting the workout of its robotic life this week as it plunges ever deeper into the Indian Ocean in search of missing Malaysian Airline's flight MH370's locator.

Navy destroyer USS Zumwalt christened at Bath Iron Works.

Oh good: Lab is missing 2,000 vials of the deadly SARS virus.

MIT scientists have invented a new invisible mirror that can show reflections but also be see through like a window.

Eric Wareheim, Aziz Ansari and Jason Woliner mix humor and food with their new web series Food Club.

The PBS show Pioneers of Television is back for another season, and the premiere is about standup comedians who transitioned to TV, including Jerry Seinfeld, Roseanne Barr, Bob Newhart and others.

Here it is: The new Orange is the New Black trailer.

Game of Thrones season four is officially the season of Jaime Lannister GIFs.

Men climb real life version Games of Thrones' northern ice wall.

Finally: The fastest way to take off your T-shirt.

Be sure to get a workout in today ...

April 19, 2014 at 8:21am

5 Things To Do Today: Record Store Day, burlesque "Oz," Peter Case, Adrian Connor and more ...

Whoever says the music industry is dead obviously hasn't observed Record Store Day.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19 2014 >>>

1. Record Store Day is a holiday devoted to encouraging music fans to leave their bubble of predictable downloads and entering a world where the skip button doesn't exist. To browse through the shelves upon shelves of lovingly pressed vinyl, immaculately illustrated covers, essential liner notes, and magically enlivened grooves. Record stores have been threatening to disappear for years, but they've survived through the gauntlet of CD's and evil Pandora. In the past few years, records have even begun to regain some of their old popularity. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full thoughts on Record Store Day in the Music & Culture section.

2. The heavy, four-piece Pariah's Revolt from Olympia has all the badassness of ear-splitting chords, metal riffs and black clothing that you'd expect from the genre. And they're taking their community involvement to the next level with a fundraiser to help the Thurston County Food Bank at 6 p.m. in Louie G's in Fife.

3. Pasties and butt cheeks and hip-hop Toto, oh my! Expect all three - and more titillating fun - in The Gritty City Sirens' Adventures in Oz, a Wizard of Oz-inspired burlesque production at 7 p.m. in the Temple Theater Ballroom. We attended the dress rehearsal.

4. After disbanding the Los Angeles new wave/power pop group the Plimsouls, bespectacled, gruff-voiced frontman Peter Case launched a career as an important American singer/songwriter specializing in the flat-pick guitar style and semi-autobiographical stories of drifters delivered in a narrative style. Case has been writing and recording as a solo act for much longer than he was ever in the Plimsouls, or his first band, the seminal '70s punk band The Nerves. Case will bring his dynamic Americana-inspired blend of blues, folk and rock to the intimate Morso wine bar in Gig Harbor at 8 p.m.

5. Soaked in dark grunge and '90s alt rock, Adrian has the power trio of powerful female vocals, slick guitar notes and great production behind the release of the band's new album, Be Your Own Saviour. Frontwoman, guitarist and songwriter Adrian Conner, who plays lead guitar in AC/DC all-female tribute band Hell's Bells, has orchestrated a band full of infectious pop wrapped around electric, bombastic rock and roll. Catch the band at 9 p.m. at Uncle Sam's in Spanaway.        

LINK: Saturday, April 19 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area.

April 19, 2014 at 11:44am

Beer weekend: Top Rung Brewing grand opening, three years for Wingman and more ...

Jason Stoltz, top, and Casey Sobol, bottom, celebrate the grand opening of their Top Rung Brewing Company today. Photo credit: Pappi Swarner

After the grain has been shoveled from the mash tun, after yeast has been pitched, after the farmer has hauled away the trailer, there is water everywhere, and a half hour more of work to do before they can go fight fires. Yes, they woke up at 4:30 a.m., it's now 3 in the afternoon, and soon one will turn his waist-high boots for knee-high boots and a red ax.

Thurston County firefighters Casey Sobol and Jason Stoltz's four-year journey to open their brewery official ends today when their Top Rung Brewing Company celebrates its grand opening from 2-9 p.m.

The career firefighters - 20 years for Sobol and seven for Stoltz - have been dialing in their recipes in the garages between shifts at the McLane/Black Lake Fire Department. It became real when the duo's Hosechaser Blonde grabbed the Dick's Brewing "Beer for a Cure" homebrewing contest top prize in 2012 - and they began to shadow Dick's brewer Parker Penley.

"Just as the firefighting community is an open, friendly brotherhood, so is the beer community," says Sobol. "I could be in Boston and any firehouse would take me in as one of their own. The local brewing community is similar."

Wingman Brewers in Tacoma brought back two whiskey barrels from Kentucky for Top Rung Brewing.

"It's a shame Wingman celebrates three years the same day we celebrate our grand opening," says Sobol. "Those guys are great."

Those who didn't drop by Top Rung's soft opening last Saturday can check out the new 10-barrel brewhouse and spacious taproom at 8343 Hogum Bay Lane in Lacey today. The duo pays tribute to their main job, with ladders suspended from the ceiling, firehouse décor and the iconic fireman's shield front and center on the Top Rung logo. Otherwise, the high-ceiling space resembles other taprooms, with concrete floors, modern lighting and long wooded plank tables, which Sobol crafted. Sobol runs the house side.

Stolz runs the brewing. The beers pay tribute to firefighting, with the award-winning Hosechaser, Irons IPA and Scout Stout on tap today. The IPA has recently been altered with added bitter and aroma hops. It's delicious. The Flashover Red is written on the board. A Cascadian Dark Ale is in the works, as well as a seasonal pumpkin ale, Oktoberfest and a secret Thanksgiving release that will be on many beer enthusiasts' Santa list. 

Sobol, Stoltz and their 10 investors have a business plan that calls for slow, steady growth. Food can be brought in from surrounding businesses, which are listed on a hanging board. Strong beers are not part of the plan right now. In fact, a three-maximum pint limit has been instigated in the taproom. That's the firefighter in them.

In addition to the beers today, a local barbecue company will be cooking out front. Beer flights are available.

TOP RUNG BREWING COMPANY, 8343 Hogum Bay Lane NE, Suite B
Lacey, 360.239.3043

BERE HERE TODAY

As mentioned above, Wingman Brewers in TAcoma celebrates its third anniversary with a party noon to midnight. It will premiere its Double IPA Pocket Aces in 22-ounce bottles and on draft, which is basically a doubled up version of its Ace IPA. There is a significant amount of malt backbone in the Pocket Aces, which leads to some residual sweetness. It weighs in at about 12 percent, but with a massive amount of citra and centennial hops, along with a few other varietals to balance it out. Budha Bear Bagels will help soak up the suds. Here is Wingman's starting tap lineup today: Ace IPA 7.1% ABV, P-51 Porter 8% ABV, Pocket Aces 12% ABV, Coconut P-51 8% ABV, Stratofortress 11.2% ABV, Gratzilla Smoked Bacon Wheat Ale 3.4% ABV, Operation Crossroads Old Ale 16.8% ABV, Chocolate, Coffee, Oatmeal Stout 7.8% ABV, AO Supporters Outlaw Ale 4.8% ABV, Pacific Gose 3.3% ABV, Wit 4.6% ABV, Big Baby Flat Top Imperial Stout 11.4% ABV, Chocolate Fortress 11.2% ABV, Mighty HighPA 6.8% ABV and a cider from Seattle Cider Company.

The historic 1908 Olympic Club in downtown Centralia hosts its annual Brewfest from 1-11 p.m. Since it's a McMenamins' operation, you can expect its Oregon-based brews on full display, as well as beer from guest brewers and importers, including local treats from Fish Brewing and Dick's brewing. While you sip, you can take in the Olympic Club's history of railway bootlegging, captured train robbers, secret call buttons, subterranean tunnels, rumored hauntings as well as tour the Olympic Club brewery, relax in the outdoor seating area, play a round or two of pool. The cost is $12 per 1o-sample punch card. The overnight rooms at the Olympic Club have been taken so plan accordingly.

The Hopscotch Spring Beer & Scotch Festival takes over Fremont Studios in Seattle with the biggest and best pop-up bar you may ever see with 50 microbrews, scotch, whiskey and wine tastings flowing through the aisles April 18-19. Hopscotch 2014 has an impressive lineup of both Washington and out-of-state microbreweries and distilleries. Well-known breweries, from Deschutes Brewery to Full Sail, Ninkasi to Snoqualmie, will serve up familiar brews and more. A few wines from the Proletariat Wine Company will also be available. If your tastes run a little harder, Scotch aficionados (or newbies wanting to learn a bit) can sample five Abelour vintages and six Northwest whiskeys. "We are bringing back our scotch workshops, which are hour-long Scotch 101 workshops led by a master of scotch and feature 10 different kinds of scotch from the Aberlour, Glenlevit, and Chivas families," said Maddie Murphy, sponsorship and marketing assistant for the festival. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.hopscotchtasting.com.

SEE ALSO

The Swiss Restaurant and Pub celebrates 21 years.

April 19, 2014 at 12:47pm

513th Transportation Company at JBLM to honor Clover Park High School art students

Nearly a dozen Clover Park High School art students volunteered their time over the past several months to design and paint a mural in the U.S. Army’s 513th Transportation Company’s boardroom to highlight the company’s history. Photo credit: Frank Casey

Clover Park School District has plans for you Thursday night. Let's take a look ...

Nearly a dozen Clover Park High School (CPHS) art students will be honored Thursday, April 24 by members of the U.S. Army's 513th Transportation Company for designing and painting a mural in the company's boardroom. The mural shows scenes of the company's history. Company representatives will present students with special coins and certificates. 

Read more...

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