DONATE TO A LOCAL CHARITY >>>

There's no better way to support your community than supporting your neighbors in need, especially during the holiday season. We'll feature local charities on Spew throughout this holiday season with links to donate your money, supplies and time.

Give the karmic wheel a spin for today's charity focus:

Catherine Place

923 S. Eighth St., Tacoma
253.572.3547

Editor's note: Today's Mistledole focus is written by Chiara Wood, a member of Catherine Place's WomanSpirit Circle, and collector of "Gathering Our Stories" – the love notes sent to us by the women we serve and convene with.

"When women thrive, all of society benefits and succeeding generations are given a better start in life." – Kofi Annan, former U.N. Secretary General

Catherine Place was established in 2000 by the Tacoma Dominican Community to be "an oasis for women," an urban center for women's personal growth and spirituality.  Our mission is to improve the quality of life for women, particularly women in poverty, in transition or facing the daily challenges associated with violence, loss, unemployment, immigration and illness. 

Read more...

DONATE TO A LOCAL CHARITY >>>

There's no better way to support your community than supporting your neighbors in need, especially during the holiday season. We'll feature local charities on Spew throughout this holiday season with links to donate your money, supplies and time.

Give the karmic wheel a spin for today's charity focus:

Emergency Food Network

3318 92nd St. S., Lakewood
253.584.1040

The ongoing economic downturn is costing people their jobs, stressing family budgets, and putting people out of their homes. People who never needed help before have been forced to look to public assistance for the first time. To meet that need, the Emergency Food Network has been working since 1982 "to provide a reliable food supply so that no person in Pierce County goes hungry." Each month in Pierce County, more than 140,000 people seek emergency food assistance. EFN provides food and other essentials at no cost to more than 65 food banks, hot meal sites and shelters for distribution to low-income families and individuals.

Stephanie Genton, a volunteer coordinator with EFN in Lakewood, sent us word that they're short volunteers to stuff their annual appeal letter into envelopes. We're talking 3,000 envelopes people. The letters need to get out Friday. Therefore, EFN is asking volunteers to drop by their Lakewood office at 3318 92^nd St. S beginning at 10 a.m. Friday to stuff. Give Genton a jingle at 253.584.1040 for more details.

When asked what else the EFN is short on this holiday season, Genton said anything and everything food related. "The need is so high. Money donations are always great since we can turn $1 into $12 of food. We offer daily bulk-food repacking Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.," she explained. More information about the repacking can be found here.

LINK: Donate to the Emergency Food Network

Previous Mistledole charities

• Tacoma Community House
• Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children
• Olive Crest

DONATE TO A LOCAL CHARITY >>>

There's no better way to support your community than supporting your neighbors in need, especially during the holiday season. We'll feature local charities on Spew throughout this holiday season with links to donate your money, supplies and time.

Give the karmic wheel a spin for today's charity focus:

Olive Crest

902 Market St., Ste. 202, Tacoma
800.743.6783

According to the WA Department of Social and Health Services, more than 10,411 children are in foster care in Washington state. Childwelfare.gov reported that 91,100 calls were made in Washington to Child Protective Services (CPS) in 2008 alone. Those numbers indicate that help is needed and one local foundation is striving to make a difference.

Since 1973, the Olive Crest organization has worked with more than 50,000 children suffering from neglect and abuse, and helped families struggling to survive. Today they are preventing child abuse, healing at-risk children and restoring children to permanency.

Read more...

DONATE TO A LOCAL CHARITY >>>

There's no better way to support your community than supporting your neighbors in need, especially during the holiday season. We'll feature local charities on Spew throughout this holiday season with links to donate your money, supplies and time.

Give the karmic wheel a spin for today's charity focus:

Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children

Clinics in Parkland, South Tacoma, Gig Harbor and Buckley
253.539.7445

Healthy teeth are important for good health and self-esteem.

According to the 2000 Surgeon General's report, "Oral Health in America," tooth decay is the single most chronic childhood disease - five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.

The 2003 Pierce County Needs Assessment survey pinpointed that finding and accessing dental care to be in the top five overall needs and service needs throughout Pierce County.

Read more...

MONDAY, NOV. 29 >>>

1. Marcus Walker, a well-known member of the community and the managing artistic director at Lakewood Playhouse, was recently diagnosed with cancer - more specifically malignant metastatic melanoma, which he describes in a letter to friends and Lakewood Playhouse patrons as a "very virulent form" of cancer. Tonight, banking on the fact that laughter is the best medicine, a benefit roast of Walker will be held at Urban Grace Church in Tacoma. All proceeds will go to Lakewood Playhouse to help in this time of need.

2. The power of social media can be leveraged by artists. Today a workshop discussing this fact will be held at Tacoma Art Place. Grow your fan base. Grow your business. Increase your exposure. The free workshop will cover it all. Hopefully you RSVP'd.

3. The Mix hosts Barstool Bingo with prizes beginning at 9 p.m. Get your butt down there.

4. Dance party, yo! Tonight at the New Frontier Lounge with DJ Tanner & DJ Dark Skars. Starts at 9 p.m. Be there or be square.

5. Community and West African drumming and dance go together like, well ... we don't know yet. Tonight we'll get a chance to find out. What we do know for sure is when there's a community oriented, all-are-welcome West African drumming and dance event at the Loft on Cherry in Olympia it's probably a pretty good way to spend your Monday evening. Lucky for us, all skill levels are welcome. Runs 7:30-9 p.m.

A TIME TO BE THANKFUL >>>

While we sit inside our homes, sipping eggnog and feeling all warm and fuzzy as we give thanks for the blessings of the past year, it's easy to forget that there are hundreds of people in the South Sound who would be grateful for a roof over their heads and a bed to sleep in at night.

Emergency Food Network knows this. They have partnered with the Tacoma Rescue Mission and Bank of American to provide free Thanksgiving dinners for those in need at two Tacoma locations: the Tacoma Rescue Mission (425 S. Tacoma Way) and Adams Street Family Campus 2909 S. Adams St.).

Thanksgiving is a time to say thank you for all we have, and share what we have with those who aren’t as fortunate.

FRIDAY, NOV. 19>>>

1. Hey, parents! It's Parent's Night Out at the Children's Museum of Tacoma. It's a chance to drop off your squirts between 6-9:30 p.m. to let the Children's Museum feed, teach and entertain them - while you go out and do something much more fun! Registration is required, but the good news is Parent's Night Out happens every third Friday, so jump on December, January and February. Ages 3-10.

2. The Puget Sound Piano Trio is back, y'all! David Requiro, Maria Sampen and Duane Hulbert (a 5 Things to Do Today regular, of late). After a fifteen-year absence, the Trio will bust out a free concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. inside Schneebeck Concert Hall at UPS.

3. The Hive Dwellers, Spencer Kelley and Trevor Dickson. Good coffee. Interesting statue controversy. Enough said. Or maybe not quite enough. K Record's icon Calvin Johnson is behind the Hive Dwellers, and the action starts at Amocat Café in Tacoma at 6:30 p.m. Your $5 cover will go to the Goddess of Commerce Gateway Project.

4. Every year the Barefoot Collective helps put on Footfalls, which is a chance for area dance companies to jointly show their chops under the umbrella of one awesome show. This year, the Barefoot Collective, MLK Ballet and BQDanza will be a part of the action going down at Studio 3 inside the Broadway Center. If you happen to miss it today, Footfalls runs again tomorrow - which is nice.

5. Billy Roy Danger & the Rectifiers will literally rock the dock tonight at Rock the Dock. If you know Billy Stoops of Junkyard Jane - and most Tacoma music fans do - you know Billy Roy Danger & the Rectifiers. Coincidentally, we're pretty sure we saw Stoops in full-spandex biking attire the other day at Stadium Thriftway, but that's really not important. The real question is: How many wasted people will jump in the Thea Foss tonight?

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Rainy and miserable, hi 43, lo 37

Saturday: Exactly the same,with a slight chance of snow showers, hi 43, lo 31

Sunday: Partly sunny, but cold, hi 39, lo 28

>>> FRIDAY, NOV. 19: GODDESS OF COMMERCE GATEWAY PROJECT BENEFIT

The gradual coolifying of Amocat is about to get a serious bump on Friday when Calvin Johnson's project, the Hive Dwellers, performs. Also on the bill will be solo sets from two of the people behind two of the best bands in Tacoma: Trevor Dickson of the Nightgowns and Spencer Kelly of Basemint.

• Amocat Cafe, 6 p.m., $5, 625 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.228.7271

>>> FRIDAY, NOV. 19: SAFE STREETS DEMONSTRATION

Friday Tacoma's nonprofit Safe Streets campaign will hold two rallies in T-Town, allowing members of the community a chance to get together, construct signs with "anti-crime slogans" and demonstrate their vigilance in two neighborhoods:  Orchard Plaza at 56th and Orchard and the Shell station at Center Street and Tyler. If you really want to go all out, sign making parties - including refreshments - start at 3:30 p.m. at the Madrona Pointe and Orchard Hills apartment complexes.

• Tacoma, 4-6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 56th and Orchard and the Shell Station at Center Street and Tyler Street, Tacoma, safest.org

>>> SATURDAY, NOV. 20: 'NESIAN FEST AT HELL'S KITCHEN

While this one may not fit the bill of shows you typically associate with Tacoma punk and metal institution Hell's Kitchen, that's all the more reason to take note. On Saturday, local hip-hoppers Island Trybe will headline the first ‘Nesian Fest, which the group also happened to organize - with the goal being a celebration and creative gathering of Pacific Islanders throwing it down in the local hip hop scene. With at least five other performers on the bill, the first ‘Nesian Fest will undoubtedly be one of the most impressive collections of talent the weekend has in store.  

• Hell's Kitchen, 8 p.m., 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.232.5519

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

MATT DRISCOLL Editor (aka - the guy to blame)
Drinking in my underwear. Also, I'll be preparing for next week's trip to the in-laws house for Thanksgiving by doing all the things I'm not allowed to do there ... like drink in my underwear

PAUL SCHRAG Senior Contributor
I'm sleeping and watching Red Dwarf. And fantasizing about the Neurosis show at Neumo's on New Year's Eve.

REV. ADAM MCKINNEY Features Writer
Friday, I'll be at the Amocat Cafe, watching the Hive Dwellers, Trevor Dickson and Spencer Kelley. The next day, I may be attending a Four Loko prohibition party. I cut my teeth on Four Loko last weekend, and can't wait to get back into that cocaine-like saddle. Sunday, I'm having Thanksgiving dinner with my friends.
NIKKI TALOTTA Features Writer
I don't mind the usual gifts of winter - holidays, nasty weather, shorter days. But what I do mind is the winter gifts that keep on giving - germs, infections, viruses - and the constant sharing of said gifts between the grubby little hands of babes. So, instead of the planned babysitter and a weekend of rock 'n' roll with Built to Spill and the Olympia Record Show, I will be wiping oozing eyes, allowing my sleeve to double as a snot rag and watching Toy Story 3 forthe hundreth time - all while doling out a year's worth of kisses. Sigh.

JOE IZENMAN Music/Theater Critic
Oh, you know, the usual. Proctor Farmers Market. Playing cards and drinking beer. Watching some Doctor Who. Football and Dungeons & Dragos on Saturday. Oh yeah, and CLEANING LIKE A MAD BASTARD BECAUSE APPARENTLY WE ARE HOSTING THANKSGIVING NEXT WEEK. OH, GOD, WHY?
JENNIFER JOHNSON: Lifestyle/Leisure Writer
Friday going to Olympia to hear Ultramarathoner, Life in Motion 'Superhuman' Dean Karnazes speak. Saturday 7:30 a.m. hot yoga, a friend’s wedding, Shenanigans for dinner and Tempest 5-year anniversary throw-down.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
Would you believe I have nothing to review this weekend?  I get to hide from the weather and try not to giggle like a moron each time the word "horcrux" is uttered in Harry Potter and the Curse of Lifelong Typecasting.

RON SWARNER Publisher
The highlight of my weekend – besides hanging the turkey mobile above the kitchen table – will be joining Tacoma at the Tempest Lounge’s fifth anniversary party Saturday night. The rest of the weekend I’ll be doing my old man thing: puttering around the house. I’ll walk around turning lamps on and off, making coffee as well as calls to see which checks cleared overnight, visit the porch to see which plants I have killed and, well, just putter.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FRIENDLY REMINDER >>>

That's right. In six short days Doug Martsch, his beard, and the rest of moderately legendary Idaho band Built to Spill will be back in Olympia for the first time in a long time - playing an extremely worthy benefit show at the Capitol Theatre with Calvin Johnson's Hive Dwellers and Scarf. The show, which is presented by Friends of Mia and will valiantly raise money for local families dealing with cancer, will mark the last stop on a lengthy Built to Spill tour - and will surely be memorable. The Volcano's Rev. Adam McKinney is currently putting the final touches on a preview of the show to be published in this Thursday's paper. 

Until then, watch this ...

More info on Sunday's Built to Spill show in Olympia can be found at the Olympia Film Society website.

BRING ON THE WEEKEND >>>

That nip in the air doesn't dampen the excitement: the weekend is upon us.

The fact it's dark by 3:30 p.m. doesn't diminish the possibilities: if you're a Monday-through-Friday, nine-to-fiver you've got two days of freedom starring you straight in the face.

Add all this together and you have the inevitable: it's time for another installment of The Prefunk - a weekend primer for you and your liver, with a picture of a alcoholic household pet thrown in for good measure.

Enjoy.

Empty Bowls @ Life Center Campus

Saturday, Nov. 13

The aforementioned nip in the air is no joke. Anyone as addicted to cigarette breaks as me knows this to be true. The season for sweaters and long underwear is practically here, and with the coldness comes necessity - you're going to have to stay warm. Hidden flasks full of bottom shelf vodka or Canadian whiskey are great for this.

But, truth is, soup is even better. The bonus is if your boss finds soup on you it wont result in your termination or inpatient rehab (unless it's some really fucking good soup).

Not only does the emergence of fall and the coming of winter mean it's time to bundle up, it means the holidays are also in the house - and, perhaps sadly, more than ever people will feel like being charitable.

Ignoring an obvious conversation about why folks are so much more willing to be charitable around the holidays, and how unfortunate this is the rest of the year, Saturday marks a fine opportunity to accomplish almost everything previously mentioned (except the secret drinking) all in one stop.

Stay warm. Eat soup. Do good.

Empty Bowls, from 1-4 p.m. at the Life Center Campus on Union Avenue in Tacoma Saturday, has it all.

Every year the Empty Bowls event - which raises money for the Emergency Food Network - combines local artists and local chefs for one of the tastiest and most handcrafted get-togethers of the year. Local artists design and sell handmade bowls of all kinds (this year starting at $10-$15), and local chefs offer some of the most delicious soups known to man (with every bowl purchased) - all the while raising money for an organization that's valiant objective, as explained on its website, is "... so no person goes hungry."

More background on the event and the organization behind it:

"100% of all proceeds from the event benefit Emergency Food Network. EFN is a local organization that distributes food to 65 food banks and hot meal sites in Pierce County. In 2009, EFN distributed 13.7 million pounds of food in Pierce County. For every $10 donated, EFN distributes $12 worth of food."

Go on. Get out and support a good cause.

PREFUNK: Well, now, this was too easy ...

You know what makes looking at handcrafted art and eating stuff (even soup) way more exciting?

Emptying a few bowls - that's what.

You know what I mean.

Go forth, munch, slurp, stare blankly at pretty tableware - and do it all for a good cause.