GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.3.14 >>>

A U.S. soldier with mental health issues shot dead three people and injured at least 16 on Wednesday before shooting himself at an army base in Fort Hood, Texas.

Fort Hood's commander said soldier was treated for behavior and mental health "issues."

Wednesday's mass shooting by an Army specialist in Fort Hood, Tex., put the Pentagon on a dreaded, if increasingly familiar, footing as officials grappled to understand how yet another insider threat went undeterred.

Shootings at U.S. military bases over the years.

NATO general: Russians capable of quick strike.

The Senate Intelligence Committee will take a major step forward today toward publicly releasing portions of its massive 6,300-page report on Bush-era interrogation tactics.

Arms control and materials-security initiatives can continue despite political tensions with Russia, Obama administration officials say.

The unfolding crisis in Ukraine has prompted a new and forceful wave of commentary lamenting U.S. passivity in the world. 

Boeing lobbies Congress to add EA-18 funding.

Soldiers will return to the field to test different camouflage patterns as the Army looks to meet requirements laid out by Congress to find a camouflage pattern that could be used across the military.

Researchers are one step closer to creating shields that could render parked tanks and aircraft virtually invisible.

The Raytheon Co. is challenging the Navy's decision to halt manufacturing of the Tomahawk cruise missile in 2016.

Betrayed military spouses often keep quiet for fear of losing benefits.

Why freezing yourself is a terrible way to achieve immortality.

The daily schedules of the world's greatest geniuses.

What if Superman entered the film Gravity?

In case you haven't seen the Spider-Baby ad ...

Courtney Love says she has reunited with the original members of Hole.

Watch the new trailer for Lucy with Scarlett Johansson.

What will you do at work today?

I do a lot of indiscriminate bashing of movies (sight unseen, never to be corrected) for this column. It's fun! In the case of movies like the recent, bafflingly shitty God's Not Dead, it's both rewarding and entirely warranted. Other times, I take potshots at movies that might end up being quite good. (The Lego Movie, anyone?) My point is that I'm swinging wildly in the dark, over here. This is the nature of Judging by the Trailer.

Which brings me to the trailer for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. I would rather be writing about literally anything else. Watching this trailer, my eyes blurred and a ringing tone sounded in my ears, interrupted only by the obligatory BWOOOMPs that are required of every "dark" superhero trailer, thus decreed Christopher Nolan. Captain America appears to me only as a muscular assembly of blonde-haired pixels.

I took a hard pass at the opportunity of seeing the first Captain America movie, deciding I'd just catch up when The Avengers came out. As a result, I now find myself faced with your standard gritty sequel, populated with characters about which I couldn't care less, facing a super-villain who - though exhaustively detailed in the trailer - seems to be mostly notable for possessing a "metal arm," as Cap puts it.

Of interest to other folks who don't have an affinity for Captain America, this film is helmed by the Russo Brothers, Anthony and Joe, who directed lots of episodes of Community. That's neat! Maybe, when #SixSeaonsAndAMovie finally reaches fruition, the Russo Brothers can take a break from bathing in $100 bills to take a stab at Community's theatrical debut. Until then, I'll continue my hot streak of never seeing a Captain America movie (except for that truly awful 1990 version that starred J.D. Salinger's kid).

The Copper Door, a new Tacoma taproom and beer bottle shop, is set to open Thursday, April 3, in the Stadium District next to Gibson's Frozen Yogurt. I think. Owner Craig Moore planned on opening yesterday, but a pesky sink wouldn't fit in the front bar delaying final inspection. He told me his beautiful copper door won't swing open until tomorrow, when it exposes 1,700 square feet of taproom space and another 866 square feet of store space for 750 bottle refrigerated brews. That is, if Moore passes inspection. I've been hounding him for answers since the weekend, but the busy man who crafted beers in Portland before landing on Tacoma Avenue North has been silent the past few days.

BEER NEWS

Yesterday, the Emergency Food Network was presented with a $2,550 check generated from sales of Neo Noir, the Black Belgian IPA brewed earlier this year during a group hug by Jeff Carlson of Harmon Brewing Co., Steve Navarro of Pacific Brewing & Malting Co., Beth Carlson and Cressencio Rodriguez of Ram Brewery, Morgan Alexander of Tacoma Brewing Co. and Ken Thorurn of Wingman Brewers.

Neo Noir made its debut during Tacoma Beer Week. A portion of proceeds from Neo Noir sales went to EFN. "This donation will provide for approximately 15,000 meals," said Jeff Klein, development director for EFN, in a news release. On an annual basis, EFN supplies more than 15.6 million pounds of food during 1.4 million visits.

Odd Otter Brewing Company, a new craft microbrewery in Tacoma, has reached 100 percent of its Kickstarter funding goal a week before the campaign concludes. The campaign, which ends Saturday, April 5, sought $15,000 to open a brewery at Seventh and Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma. You can still have your name on their founder wall, nab a T-shirt or join the found mug club if you donate before Saturday.

You might be seeing a bit more of the award-winning Silver City Brewing out of Silverdale and Bremerton. Its Ridgetop Red Ale and Saint Florian IPA are now available in 6-packs of 12-ounce bottles.

BEER TASTED

I arrived late to Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Draft release party at Pint Defiance March 23. Owner Barry Watson said its Metropolis Lager was the best lager he has ever tasted. It blew in 40 minutes. I arrived in time to taste the San Francisco brewery's Massacre Belgian Stout, an absolutely delicious black wheat wine made with cherries and aged in bourbon barrels.

I dropped by the Crown Bar March 24 for Tournament of Burgers research and to get in on the Scuttlebutt Brewing Co. Beer Night. Dig its Chain Breaker IPA. It's a lemon zinger, with sweet honey and bready wheat malts.  Hello sunshine.

BEER HERE

Friday, April 4

Narrows Brewing head brewer Joe Walts hosts Skip Madsen with American Brewing for a brewer's night beginning at 5 p.m. Dark Horse Band kicks it at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 5

The Harmon Restaurant and Brewery is one of the venues participating in the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival. From noon to 5 p.m., expect to hear Fistful of Dollars, The Mark Riley Trio, Maia Santell and House Blend, Jack Gaffney out of Boulder, Colo., and Nolan Garret. Admission is free.

Too much free time ...

Have you checked out K Records lately? Nearly 25 years old, the indie record label has been housed in its current location - a well-loved, historic synagogue building next to the post office in downtown Oly - since 2004.

Now, K founder Calvin Johnson and crew have re-arranged the building, bringing the basement studio upstairs to the former sanctuary and opening its front doors to the public.

"I'm really excited about the new space because it's this huge open space with these really high ceilings," says Sam Gray, studio manager. "From an engineering standpoint, that's way better. You get a way better sound so you can do more creative things with the space, but also it just feels really amazing in there - the energy is really good. There's lots of light. It's really like night and day from being in the basement."

Mariella Luz, K records general manager shares Gray's sentiment and explains more about the change.

"Previously, only K Record bands recorded in the space, and now that the label has shifted focus and has emphasis on the studio - to have it open to the public and rentable - they thought they'd make upstairs more accessible," says Luz.

The upstairs was previously filled with warehouse materials and shelving that blocked the windows. Now, inventory has been scaled down and moved to the basement. It was quite the undertaking to switch everything she says, but well worth it.

"Calvin takes the ownership of this building very seriously," says Luz. "He wants to keep it as a positive place ... and seeing the space now is quite beautiful."

An open house is set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, during the Olympia Spring Arts Walk, with live music by The Lowest Pair at 7 p.m.

K Records is at 802 Jefferson SE. For more information, visit www.krecs.com.

SEE ALSO

2014 Best Olympian: Calvin Johnson

<<< WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2 GAMES CLOSED >>>

You must admit: in a region full of dining options, you lust after your burger as a teenage girl pines for Ross Lynch (I'm forced to watch the show). Buns, meat, onions, greens and cheese - the things of dreams. Taco Bell might try to tempt you away with bun puns but their 88 percent "USDA-inspected quality beef" fails: Burger, it is your heart that it has taken.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Eastside Big Tom vs. NetShed No. 9

To be honest, NetShed No. 9 did far more damage in the Tournament of Burgers than anyone here in Walkie Talkie Land anticipated. We know the Gig Harbor waterfront restaurant more for its New American breakfast and lunch, serving dishes such as baked chicken thighs paired with waffles and the "Rubenesque" pastrami sandwich. Taking out The Harmon in the first round, and later freakin' Five Guys in the second, was impressive to say the least. However, the good times came to an abrupt halt yesterday when number one seed Eastside Big Tom once again flexed its muscles, perhaps emerging as the odds on favorite to make the final Four out of Region 1, Snagging 63 percent of the vote, Eastside Big Tom moves into the Great Eight.

Game 2: Pick-Quick Drive-In vs. Maxwell's Restaurant

The way Maxwell's and their Walker Burger has managed to bring it during this year's Tournament of Burgers has been nothing short of amazing. Yesterday, many all ready had established competitor Pick-Quick penciled in as the winner. Those people, however, were foolish - as Maxwell's once again proved its burger prowess. The votes don't lie, and when the final buzzer sounded Maxwell's had racked up an astounding 87 percent of the vote and comfortably moves into the Great Eight competition.

Game 3: Asado vs. The Westside Tavern

The Westside Tavern in Olympia went through some serious transformation during 2011. Gone are Big Buck Hunter and pull-tabs. They have been replaced by refurbished pool tables and the classy photography of Casey Grant featuring tattooed ladies and Olympia beer. Gone is the tattered blue paint on the outside of the building - inside and out. The ambiance has been mellowed by earthy paint tones, accented by red. Gone is the greasy spoon bar food. The Westside now serves homemade upscale menu items, such as portabella fries with sweet Chile sauce and pineapple express sliders. New owners Dean and Lisa Damitio have created a cool bar, and a lineup of burgers that is tough to beat. In the closest battle of the day, the Westside gathered 67 percent of the vote over fancy number one seed Asado, and moves into the Great Eight.

Game 4: Tatanka Takeout vs. Best Burgers

R-E-S-P-E-C-T is how the song goes, and that's just what unheralded Tatanka Takeout has been earning so far in the Tournament of Burgers, knocking off Best Burgers yesterday and garnering 77 percent of the vote. Our circulation department had Best Burgers going all the way. Bison meat is trickier to cook than beef, but also leaner and more nutritious, and Tatanka takes its skills and skinny ass into the Great Eight.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Sweet 16:

• Eastside Big Tom
• Maxwell's Restaurant
• Westside Tavern
• Tatanka Takeout

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's dive into today's Sweet Pickle 16 burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m. 

Tomorrow's Great Eight Burger Games

Game 1: Eastside Big Tom (2023 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia) vs. Lefty's Burger Shack (8317 27th St. W., University Place) OR The Forum (815 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

Game 2: Maxwell's Restaurant (454 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma) vs. Lunchbox Laboratory (4901 Point Fosdick Dr. NW, Gig Harbor) OR Crown Bar (2705 6th Ave, Tacoma)

Game 3: The Westside Tavern (1815 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia) vs. The Spar (2121 N. 30th St., Tacoma) OR Herfy's (10417 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Lakewood)

Game 4: Tatanka Takeout (4915 N. Pearl St., Ruston) vs. Shake Shake Shake (124 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma) OR Little Jerry's (8233 S. Park Ave., Tacoma)

Championship Vote/Party: 6 p.m., Monday, April 7 at Meconi's Tacoma Pub & Eatery in downtown Tacoma.

Confused? Read our Tournament of Burgers introduction here.

LINK: Hot Damn! Yes, I want the South Sound Happy Hour App!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2 2014 >>>

1. On June 10, 2006, college friends Dylan LeValley, Greg Spooner, Brad Vickers and Jordan Hanssen stepped into a 29-foot rowboat as the only American competitors in the first North Atlantic Rowing Race, pulling across the northern ocean. From the first dreams of race planning to heaving through ocean waves, Rowing Into the Son: Four Young Men Crossing the North Atlantic takes the reader along with team Outdoor Adventure Racing (OAR) Northwest as they head out from New York Harbor, catch the Gulf Stream current and make the final dramatic push for the finish line, a narrow 50-mile wide "gate" at Bishop's Rock Lighthouse off the coast of Cornwall. Hurricane-level winds, giant eddies, passing freighters, flying fish and sharks are all elements of the journey, and the race comes to a tense head on day 17 - with another 55 days to go - as the crew realizes their food supplies are running out and they must drastically restrict their eating. This is lead rower and University of Puget Sound graduate Hanssen's intimate account of team OAR Northwest's journey, a tale you can hear first-hand when Hanssen reads passages of the book at his alma mater at 6:30 p.m. in Commencement Hall.

2. Northwest artist Camille Patha shares stories of her inspiration and experiences from her 50-year career at 11 a.m. in the Tacoma Art Museum. After her lecture, she'll lead a gallery tour our her exhibit, "A Punch of Color: Fifty Years of Painting by Camille Patha."

3. The 2014 Walk Tacoma series kicks off at noon with a 1.5 mile stroll through Wright Park and the Stadium District in Tacoma. Participants will walk with Melissa McGinnis, from Metro Parks, Bill Baarsma, former Tacoma Mayor and Caroline Swope, from Kingstree Studios, and will learn about the history of Wright Park, Stadium High School and Stadium District history. The walk will begin at the south side of Wright Park by the lion sculptures at noon. Walkers will be able to visit booths from 11:30 a.m. until noon to learn more about healthy lifestyles, healthy commutes and other walking events, and the first 200 walk participants will receive a swag bag. All Walk Tacoma events are free and there is no pre-registration necessary.

4. There's something otherworldly about Gary Lappier's photography show, "Sent From Somewhere Else," at Fulcrum Gallery. That does not mean the pictures are of fantasy scenes or that they're surrealistic or dreamily atmospheric. They are simple, straightforward, black and white shots of the B&I Market on South Tacoma Way. What is strange, sad, and mysterious about these photographs is there are no people, no movement, no signs of life in these 23 photographs of a place that is normally bustling with activity. Read Alec Clayton's full review of "Sent From Somewhere Else: The Black and White Photography of Gary Lappier" in the Music & Culture section,and then check out the show from noon to 6 p.m.

5. Pantry, the newest book of poetry by Tacoma-born poet Lilah Hegnauer, will be celebrated at 7 p.m. in King's Books. Pantry won the Hub City Press inaugural New Southern Voices Poetry Award, selected by D.A. Powell.

LINK: Wednesday, April 2 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.2.14 >>>

Russia has massed all the forces it needs on Ukraine's border if it were to decide to carry out an "incursion" into the country and it could achieve its objective in three to five days.

NATO foreign ministers moved to beef up the defenses of front-line alliance members feeling menaced by a more assertive Russia, with Secretary of State John Kerry proclaiming the U.S. commitment to their security is "unwavering."

Alliances realign as latest superpower pulls out of Afghanistan.

A suicide bomber wearing a military uniform killed six police officers today inside the heavily fortified Interior Ministry compound in the heart of Kabul.

NATO's foreign ministers ordered an end to civilian and military cooperation with Russia.

A group of closely held companies received the Defense Department's biggest contract last month, a potentially $10 billion award for special operations equipment and services.

General Dynamics Land Systems cannot and will not compete for the Army's largest surviving weapons program, the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, unless the service changes how it is handling the program.

A sneak peek at Marines' New Amphibious Combat Vehicle.

Remotely piloted aircraft have spawned a new breed of professional aviator that the Air Force says is here to stay.

Three Army women honored for extraordinary courage, character.

7th Civil Support Command begins Operation Saber Guardian 14.

Soldiers may soon be shelving their collection of desert boots and lacing up the Army's new, modernized jungle boots.

The U.S. military has more Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles in Afghanistan that it can bring home - and Afghanistan, India and Pakistan are locked in a three-way competition for them.

Child gets wish to be a Navy SEAL for a day.

Former senior World Bank lawyer Karen Hudes claims elongated-skull non-human creatures are hiding amongst us.

Spotify starts rolling out a new darker redesign.

Jack White has released a new song.

Is anyone watching Courtney Love's web series?

Finally: Flea's memoir.

Finally: A robot band covers the B-52's.

Singers on a plane...

CPT Meriwether Lewis, CPT Meriwether Lewis, CPT Meriwether Lewis, CPT Meriwether Lewis ...

This title floods the news release announcing the 2013 AUSA Sixth Region Awards. Of the 35 awards giving recognition to chapters, units and individuals, 21 were associated with or nominated by CPT Meriwether Lewis, the Joint Base Lewis-McChord chapter of the Association of the United States Army.

Whoa.

The winners of the AUSA Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter will join the few remaining winners at the Sixth Region Annual Awards Black Tie Banquet Saturday, April 12 in the Shilo Inn & Suites Hotel at the Portland Airport in Ore. The banquet is part of the 2014 Sixth Region Spring Meeting held at the Shilo Inn April 10-13.

AUSA is a private, nonprofit organization that works to advance the interests of the U.S. Army. In addition to being a lobbying organization, volunteers with local AUSA chapters support troops while deployed and at home. The Sixth Region includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Northern and Central California.

Makes the Captain Meriwether Lewis Chapter even more of a badass, huh?

Let's take a look at all the winners:

Read more...

COMMUNITY G.I. JOE PARODY

As of this writing, Rob Schrab (creator of the cult comic Scud: The Disposable Assassin, and co-creator of The Sarah Silverman Program) is in an office, somewhere in Los Angeles, furiously working to finish animation of the G.I. Joe parody episode of Community - which is slated to air Thursday, April 3. A beleaguered Schrab, in between generally tweeting his frustration and half-jokingly calling out Community creator Dan Harmon for putting him in this position, tweeted that he has "80 shots to finish before tomorrow. We average 15 a day."

No doubt, much of the hubbub is being made in jest (anyone who's heard Schrab appear on Harmon's podcast knows that they have a delightfully contentious chemistry), but it's a healthy reminder of the sort of tyrannical tinkering that got Harmon fired from his own show in the first place, before returning for this latest season. Because he simply couldn't turn in a script before it was perfect (which ideally would have been months ago), the turnaround for animating a loving homage of a crummy cartoon has been absurdly accelerated.

Thursday will reveal the fruits of their labor. Personally, I've found that having Harmon back has done wonders for Community, especially in the aftermath of the "gas leak year." Having a wild, self-destructive comedy genius at the helm is a gift that giveth and taketh.

VOICE-OVER WORKSHOP WITH NICOLE FAZIO

Speaking of animation, I'm fairly certain that a good amount of people spend some time in their youth fantasizing about being a voice-over artist. All it takes is two decent-to-middling impressions and it's easy to fool yourself into believing that you could be the next Mel Blanc. (How many voices did he have, again? Oh, right, a thousand. But that's a cute Gollum impression you got there.)

Not everyone is blessed with the honeyed vocal chords of Don LaFontaine or Hal Douglas (both, sadly, passed away, most recently Douglas). However, your voice is a muscle that can be sculpted and trained, if you have the inclination. If you're a teen who's ever had the notion to give voice-over acting a try, you'd do worse for instructors than Nicole Fazio. A Washington-born actress, Fazio has lent her voice to hundreds of projects, from commercials to animation. Fazio will be holding a workshop to teach you the ins and outs of her craft.

In preparation, why not check out the endearing comedy, In a World..., which explores the very particular world of voice-over artists. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, April 4, ages 12-18, Tacoma Public Library Main Branch, 1102 Tacoma Ave., Tacoma, free but registration required, 253.591.5666

Wake up, McChord Field! There's a new coffee shop opening on base this week.

Wednesday, April 2, the former Café Lancelatte, located inside of Bldg. 100 on McChord Field, will re-open as the newest Battle Bean location.

"Café Lancelatte had used the Battle Bean coffee anyway, but we wanted to rebrand it, enhance the menu and really improve the customer experience," said Roger Disbrow, chief of Business Operations for Joint Base Lewis-McChord MWR.

The manager of the Habanero Mexican Grill on Whispering Firs Golf Course will oversee this latest JBLM MWR operation.

In the morning, patrons can indulge in make-your-own waffles, freshly baked bagels, muffins and a variety of pastries, including the customer-favorite scones, created by the pastry chef at the American Lake Conference Center, will be available throughout the day.

A wider assortment of sandwiches, from paninis to croissants to wraps, will be available and the popular burritos featured at the Habanero Mexican Grill will also be brought in. The revised menu will include salad options, like Greek and Caesar, for anyone wanting to grab a healthy option for lunch.

"Everything will be fresh and made onsite," he explained. "We offer quality at a reasonable price."

Best of all, the locally roasted Battle Bean coffee will continue to be sold and an array of coffee drinks will be made-to-order by baristas. According to MWR, every batch of Battle Bean coffee is handcrafted on Lewis North under the watchful eye of their Roast Master General, Sgt. First Class (Ret.) C. Black resulting in an even roast and a smooth taste. Battle Bean merchandise and bagged coffee will be sold in the McChord Field location.

The new Battle Bean at McChord Field will also include the unveiling of a fresh logo that features a C-17 and a sunrise, as opposed to the standard coffee bean soldier.

"I want to make sure that the airmen and the civilians working on the McChord Field side of base get as good a quality product as anywhere else on JBLM," said Disbrow.

Disbrow stated that an official grand opening would be planned and announced later in April.

The Battle Bean at McChord Field will be open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday and is in the Customer Service Mall on the first floor of Bldg. 100.