THURSDAY, JULY 3 2014 >>>

1. Every Thursday at 6:30 p.m., for the last four years, waves of runners head out from a Tacoma pub, following a 5K route announced at the start, before returning to the starting line for multiple hugs and carbohydrate-rich beers. Mike and Lisa Hahn, Derek Young, Rob McNair-Huff and several others launched the social group in 2010, with Young, Sarah Cutting and McNair-Huff running it today, hosting a website and setting the routes for 3,347 Facebook members. Tonight, the Tacoma Runners will celebrate our nation's independence with a fun 5K run, beers and karaoke (8 p.m.) at The New Frontier Lounge. Expect at least 25 Founding Fathers costumes.

2. Downtown on the Go group will be hanging at the downtown Tacoma Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. handing out information on transportation options in and out of downtown Tacoma, as well as selling $10 helmets and Walk Tacoma T-shirts.

3. It's un-American to cancel meetings the day before the Fourth of July. Tacoma Green Drinks knows this. The group of environmental-friendly folks meets every first Thursday to discuss sustainable business and lifestyle while tossing back beer, wine and cocktails. Now that's American! The group will gather at 6 p.m. in The Hub Tacoma and listen to folks from Artisan Electric discuss community solar development. Grassroots community-wide bulk purchase solar programs began in Portland and have spread all over the country. Why hasn't it caught on in Tacoma? Find and get buzzed tonight.

4. Steel Creek American Whiskey Co. is throw a free country music party the next two nights. And by free they mean free bull rides and free cover. Rio dance lessons begin at 8 p.m. tonight with drink specials every 30 minutes.

5. Boris a.k.a. The Keys, a French-born and raised but now Toronto-based singer-songwriter playing somewhat edgy pop and folk & roll music will showcase his eighth album, You Can't Beat Me If I'm Not Playing, at 9 p.m. in Northern. Paul Mauer and Vinni Straube will perform, too.

LINK: Thursday, July 3 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area