THURSDAY, JAN. 8 2014 >>>

1. Turn off reality TV and make real connections, damn it! Take advantage of King's Books new Shared Memory Book Club, a first Thursday meet-up based on intercultural experiences and stories on the formation of identity against the odds, that doesn't involve yelling and slapping. The club will be reading novels, biographies and memoirs about cultural awareness, adaptation and acceptance. January's book is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, which will be discussed beginning at 7 p.m.

2. Bundle up, pinch your cheeks until they glow and strap on a pair of silver skates, Hans Brinker, for a glide across the frozen expanse at Tollefson Plaza. The Franciscan Polar Plaza, located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 17th Street, is open from 4-9 p.m.

3. Hop Valley Brewing Co. out of Eugene, Oregon, will head to the house of burgers and brisket - Stuck Junction Saloon in historic downtown Sumner - for brewer's night festivities and HVB beers, including Double D Blonde Ale, Alphadelic IPA, V.I.P (Vanilla Infused Porter) and Festaroo Winter Ale, their winter warmer. HVB rep Rob Brunsman will kick off the craziness at 6 p.m.

4. Forget light and low-carb beers. The Tacoma Runners have a better method for fighting fat: They run then drink beer. They're the classic drinking group with a running problem. They meet at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday at a Pierce County alcohol-slinging joint, run 3 miles and then return to the starting line to celebrate. This week, the group will meet at the Pacific Brewing & Malting Co. for Moon Yard Ales, Dirty Skoogs IPA, Donkey Puncher ESB and elevated heart rates.

5. Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, and now rooted down in Seattle, Andrew Norsworthy has written, recorded, and performed music for more than 20 years. Traveling across the U.S. extensively, and playing in Europe as well, he has had the opportunity to share stages with Kelly Joe Phelps, Josh Rouse, Dan Bern, Michelle Malone, Patrick Sweany, Tim Easton, Sarah Lee Guthrie, and many others. His most recent release is 2012's blues-soaked The Key & The Cross, described by the Seattle Weekly as a showcase for "badass guitar playing" and an "equally strong voice". Catch him at 6:30 p.m. in The Hub in Gig Harbor.

LINK: Thursday, Jan. 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area