THE INTERNETS DON'T LIE >>>

Bobble Tiki was crusing the ol' Internets this morning, as he usually does with his ritual latte, Red Bull and shot of Five Hour Energy Drink, when he stumbled (alertly) on news of Spoke and Sprocket's plans to close at the end of May ... Saturday, May 28 to be exact.

You can read all about it here.

In Bobble Tiki's humble opinion, it's sad news that probably calls for something like this ...

ONE LESS CORPORATE BOX TO BROWSE >>>

When it comes to book shopping, there's nothing I like more than an awesome local bookstore. King's and Tacoma Book Center have consumed oh so many of my dollars over the years.

But when it comes to book browsing, well, it's tough to beat the kind of scale you find at the giant cube that is Borders by the Tacoma Mall. I've spent hours sifting through travel books to everywhere or sitting in a corner of the food section drooling over recipe ideas. And then there's the time spent standing baffled at the sheer number of Star Wars books that have been written since I gave up trying to read them all. ...

So it's with no great feeling of tragedy, but still a touch of sadness, that I learned of the Tacoma Borders' imminent demise. With the Gig Harbor store already on the way out, Tacoma-along with Federal Way-was added in a second wave to the official closure list last Thursday.

Proceedings begin today with the commencement of the requisite inventory clearance sale, and most newly-axed stores are targeted for late-May closing.

So long, Borders. You were a giant, corporate box, but I liked wandering around in you anyway.

COMING SOON >>>

Whether or not the folks at O'Malley's Irish Pub were ready for people to know they have designs on the building down the street, word travels fast. A smile could be heard in O'Malley's co-manager Josh Norris's voice during a conversation last week as he confided, "I think Jack (Dolan) at Sluggo has told every person that goes in his store that we're going to open up a second spot in there."

Sluggo is scheduled to close at the end of March. By late May or June, the folks at O'Malley's hope to be slinging pizza from the spot.

To read the full story, click here.

EMPTY STOREFRONT >>>

It's a damn shame when yet another great local restaurant closes down. Taqueria Burrito Loco is no longer open for business at their Tacoma location in a strip mall hidden behind a gas station on the corner of 56^th and Orchard. In my opinion, the restaurant's food didn't warrant the closure. Not even close. Sure, their tacos made it to the Final Four in last year's Tournament of Tacos. But it was Taqueria Burrito Loco's breakfast burrito that made my mornings. Stuffed with Mexican sausage, eggs, rice, whole beans, onion, tomatoes, cilantro and ample sour cream, it was bigger than my head.

Whatever the reason for their closure, it makes me sad. Adios Loco.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

NOTHING'S THE MATTER AT MATTER >>>

If we can believe the readers who voted for Best of Olympia, Matter Gallery is the best gallery in the capitol city, and now they have the best art gallery website in the region. Matter owner Jo Gallaugher has very recently put up the gallery's new website here (matteroly.com).

Matter is into DIY, so naturally when Gallaugher decided she needed an online presence she did it herself. She used a DIY site-building template, but it doesn't look like it was made from a template. Credit her taste in art and the quality of art in her gallery for the nice looking layout and visual appeal. (Also credit 3DCart by InfoMart 2000.)

Matter's clever tagline or motto is "where art and sustainability hang together." All art in the gallery is made from recycled materials. "We are a contemporary, fine art gallery featuring artworks from over 100 artists using recycled and reclaimed materials," says matteroly.com. "While we hope your online experience is enjoyable, please know that we are happy to help via telephone or email. If you have questions about an artwork or artist, need help buying a gift, or want to learn about artworks we have on the way, send email or give us a call!"

Navigation of the site is straightforward and simple. You can search a drop-down menu for artists, or you can search by categories including functional art, lighting, furniture, housewares, gifts, sculpture, and so forth. When you click on thumbnails of any of the artworks to see them larger you also get details such as size and materials - and price, of course.

There is some great sculpture by don Freas. I particularly like his piece called Balance. There's a large sculpture by Marsha Glaziere made from old mattress springs and some great funky lamps by Pat Tassoni and funny figures by Nancy Chambers. There are even some Pill bookends by Brian White made with reclaimed air tanks. Take a look at these and many more. Better yet, drop by the gallery on Fifth Avenue in Oly and see the actual pieces.

You can purchase art from the website, but I highly recommend also seeing the art "in the flesh.

[Matter, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday - Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., Sunday - Tuesday, 113 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia, 360.943.1760]

OLD RHYTHM AND BREWS LOCATION WELCOMES THE LAUGHS NEXT WEEK >>>

Just five months old and like a growing newborn, Tacoma Comedy Club is already too big for its britches.  The only difference is Tacoma Comedy Club co-owners Adam Norwest and Aaron Flett-Riggs aren't whining. Instead, they're enabling their very own growth spurt - planning a move next weekend to 933 Market Street in downtown Tacoma. (For those not keen on addresses, the new Tacoma Comedy Club will reside in the space formerly known as Rhythm and Brews.)

To read the full story, click here.

GOODBYES ARE HARD >>>

After 32 years in business, Sluggo Music is closing its doors. By the end of the month every gold cymbal, every wood-grained guitar and every last guitar pick will be sold off. The iconic Sluggo sign on the front of the building will disappear. Upstart musicians will lose their Sixth Avenue spot for Ernie Ball guitar strings and expert musical knowledge. 

To read our full article, including an interview with owner Jack Dolan and Plastards guitarist Rich Bundy, click here.

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SOME MORE DETAILS >>>

As mentioned last week, Brandon Escovedo, who has years of experience gained while managing Jazzbones, Station 56, Firecreek and, most recently, Big Wheel Steakhouse, officially became general manager at Tacoma's Gruv Nightclub and Lounge March 7. In Escovedo's hands, Gruv will undergo a major overhaul. The club's dining area and music room have merged and now have an unobstructed views of live bands and the dance floor. Pool tables and dart boards now occupy the former dining area, and Skee-Ball and a photo booth are pending.

The existing dining menu will change, morphing Gruv's feel into that of a seafood house, with locally sourced oysters, salmon and halibut. Escovedo's own savory crab cakes will be offered soon.

"Steaks, jerk chicken tacos and hand-molded burgers aren't going anywhere," Escovedo says.

With a chuckle Escovedo shares he's dubbed Gruv's late-night afterhours dining option the No-Doze Café. A $10 breakfast buffet of eggs, potatoes, sausage, biscuits and gravy and fruit is served Friday and Saturday (2 a.m. - 4 a.m.). A $5 cover includes a buffet for industry workers. Also, be sure to check out the à la carte menu with a seafood scramble, crab Benedict, non-breakfast items and more.

Gruv now offers a wide variety of entertainment, including local rock, hip-hop and R&B bands, college night with KUPS radio DJs, Top 40, dance music and spoken word.

[Gruv Nightclub and Lounge, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.761.1550]

WAITING ON WORD ABOUT THE SIXTH AVE MARKET >>>

As we've reported before on SPEW, the Tacoma Food Co-op is currently trying to purchase retail space for a long-sought-after physical location - specifically, the 6th Avenue Market in Tacoma near the Red Hot and O'Reilly's Auto Parts. In February, the Tacoma Food Co-op made a goal of reaching over 400 members (it had just over 300 to start with) - a drive designed to raise $10,000 in earnest money to help acquire the 6th Avenue Market location.

Today, the Tacoma Food Co-op updated members and supporters on the progress in an official press release. In a demonstration of the support the co-op has within the community, the goal of surpassing 400 members was met easily in just three weeks.

However, while the necessary $10,000 earnest money was secured by the Tacoma Food Co-op, John Loesch, current owner of the 6th Avenue Market, is reportedly still mulling his options.

An official Tacoma Food Co-op press release below:

Read more...

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from "Papa" in regard to our recently published Best of Olympia 2011 Issue, in which both "Sam the Cat Man" and "Dude Man" were featured in blurbs by Scabby McCrusto, who worked specially for the Volcano on Best of Olympia 2011.

Papa writes,

What in the hell are you people thinking? Please explain how Dude Man and Sam the Cat Man have any business being given any type of positive press when those two people alone are some of the biggest problems in our downtown. Try running your business with the two of them doing drug deals, pissing on your building, smashing windows (I saw sam do this in the alley between the Eastside and Jezebels) smoking pot and drinking in public without any regard to those who work, live and depend on downtown to survive. Obviously, you don't have a clue as to how much disrespect both of those people show us and our community each and every day by their actions. You just added more fuel to the fire, thanks a lot!!