RON SWARNER: WE NOW HAVE A FREAKING BELLA BALL! >>>

When the City Club of Tacoma announced it was putting on a show to celebrate its first 25 year of existence, it wasn't hard to predict how the party would go down. The club brought in artist Lynn Di Nino to produce it under event chair Sue Schaeffer. Di Nino, in turn, brought in musician/actor/comedian Doug Mackey. Mackey and Di Nino have had their hands on just about every cool and innovative event in town. When the party finally happened last night at Washington State History Museum, their event, titled "All Together Now," had everyone in tears – induced by laughter.

After wine, buffet and a greeting by City Club President Ann Gosch, City Club co-founders Lilly Warnick and Patricia Lantz discussed the clubs first year, vision and hopes on stage over a glass of wine.

In celebration of their 25th year, City Club recognized the accomplishments of other organizations in our community that have made a significant impact during the last quarter century. One by one the "25@25" honorees where recognized and awarded a handcrafted Bella Ball. The honorees were: Associated Ministries, Bates Technical College, The Black Collective, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Centro Latino, City Arts, Emergency Food Network, Tacoma Farmers Market, Tacoma Goodwill, The Grand Cinema, Korean Women's Association, KPLU, Museum of Glass, The Nonprofit Center, The News Tribune, pierce County AIDS Foundation, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Tacoma School of the Arts Partners, Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma Historical Society, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, University of Washington Tacoma, Washington State History Museum and, drum roll, the Weekly Volcano.

Then Mackey took over.

Complete with Beatles accent and wig, Mackey launched into the show portion of the party, back by keyboardist Gavin Guss and six high school age students loaded with vocal talent: Grace Oberhofer, Rachel Lind, Henry Nettleton, Claire Idstrom, Bryan Gula and Grant Troyer. Amazing voices!

Ringleader Mackey and the kids took the crowd on a musical journey through Tacoma's dark side. They reworked famous Beatles songs changing the lyrics to poke fun at the Luzon building, Frank Russell, The spire, Tollefson Plaza, Bicentennial Pavilion, downtown condos, LeMay Car Museum, Rep. Norm Dicks, potholes, and unfortunately for Tacoma, many more.

It was the funniest roast of Tacoma I have seen.

Mackey tells me a video of the show is in the works.

On behalf of my business partner Ken Swarner and the entire staff of the Weekly Volcano, I would like to extend a big heartfelt thanks to the City Club of Tacoma for such a great honor. Ken and I have been covering the Tacoma scene for more than 23 years – including 414 weeks with the Volcano. We love this city.

LINK: More photos in our Photo Hot Spot

MATT DRISCOLL: CITY CLUB OF TACOMA TO HONOR THE WEEKLY VOLCANO, YO >>>

The City Club of Tacoma â€" turns out it’s not just about somewhat uptight business lunches and the exchanging of cards. Sometimes it’s about handing out muthafucking awards, and on Wednesday, Oct. 7 the Weekly Volcano is getting one, beeeotch! As part of the City Club’s All Together Now 25-year celebration at the Washington State History Museum, 25 “community partners” will be honored, which includes Broadway Center, Emergency Food Network, Goodwill Industries, Grand Cinema, KPLU, Tacoma Art Museum, Washington State History Museum and University of Washington-Tacoma.

According to the press release, these “community partners consistently represent the best of our community’s effort in arts, social services, education, publications, and diversity.”

The 25 theme makes sense, since, according to the aforementioned press release, the City Club of Tacoma is celebrating “25 years of exploring community issues and providing the venue for important conversations about Tacoma and the world we live in.”

Hey, we’ll take an award any way we can get one.

Here’s my prediction of what will go down that night: The Weekly Volcano’s acceptance speech will be interrupted by Kanye West. Later, Bill Baarsma will call Kanye a jackass.

[Washington State History Museum, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 5 p.m., $60, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.9561]

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Pipe Dreams: Milton couple questioned about their three metal pipes with capped ends.

Airplane Dreams: Gov. Chris Gregoire asks Boeing to open that second Dreamliner assembly line in Washington state.

You Go Girl: Michelle Obama vows to strike Olympic gold for Chicago.

Facebook: Secret Service investigating poll on Obama.

Nuclear Debate Brews: Is Iran designing warheads?

WTF?: Wisconsin Tourism Federation changes name after Internet jokes.

Yee-haw!: 1,400-pound bull drags officers down NJ street.

MICHAEL SWAN: HOLLYWOOD SPEAKS OUT TO HELP INSURANCE COMPANIES >>>

We all need to do something to stop this injustice.

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Adventure Continues: Venture Bank's road to First Citizens.

Judging Judges: Federal Way judge Michael Morgan's computer scrutinized; Witness located in case against Judge Hecht.

Carter: Racism key in opposition to Obama.

Climate Bill: Know the seven key senators in the battle.

Worth A Read: How alt and indie media got ahead of the curve on the mortgage crisis story.

Consumer Prices: Rose 0.4 percent last month; are down 1.5 percent over the past year.

Tracing His son's Last Days: After son's death in Iraq, father embeds with unit to tell his story.

Weird: Tot shooting for ball park record.

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Well, By Definition: Venture is "an undertaking involving uncertainty as to the outcome, esp. a risky or dangerous one."

Health Insurance: Pierce County may shift costs to workers.

Initiative 1033: Backers lose fight over ballot.

Report: A-Rod to avoid penalty on PEDs.

Bastards: The Guatemalan army stole at least 333 children and sold them for adoption in other countries.

Oh, That's Horrible: Vampire Diaries actresses flashed drivers.

Buddhist Bhutan: Warns felling trees a threat to happiness.

St. Elsewhere: New mom leaves N.D. hospital with the wrong baby.

Thank God It's Saturday

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Pierce County Parade Wave: County ends support for Daffodil Festival.

Blaming The Hand That Feeds You: Violent crime up in Lakewood.

Scumbag Report: Volleyball coach, Dominique Trevon "Huggy Bear" Dinwiddie, and Keith Edward "Wham-O" Marriott.

Well Then: Shares of HMO’s rise after President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress reveals no “game-changers."

Can They Afford Health Care?: U.S. poverty rate rises to 11-year high.

Then There's This Awesome News: U.S. says Iran could expedite nuclear bomb.

Dumbshit Of The Day: OC assemblyman in bed with lobbyist … no, literally in bed.

Oh, Yeah: Frank Russell is out of here.

OK, We Need A Dose Of Happiness

MICHAEL SWAN: THIS JUST IN >>>
 
Gov. Gregoire’s people just sent this to me:

I'm not feeling any better.

MICHAEL SWAN: THIS JUST IN >>>

The News Tribune is reporting that Russell Investments is moving its headquarters from Tacoma to downtown Seattle. Read the full story here.

ALICE V. NELSON: NETWORK YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS >>>

In the electronic age of popular job search sites, posting resumes is deemed nearly hopeless in this time of layoffs. Face-to-face meetings are what give job seekers a better opportunity for a career change or advancement. Networking appears to be the name of the game.

“Networking is the single most powerful marketing tactic to accelerate and sustain success for any individual or organization,” according to a quote posted on Strategic Business Network’s Web site. But for the newly unemployed, finding a group with which to exchange business cards and ideas can prove daunting.

Dawn Justin, agency owner of Farmer’s Insurance located on Bridgeport Way in Lakewood, has come up with a solution.

“I was actually looking for something like this for myself,” Justin explains. “I wanted a no-cost way for people to measurably grow profits by coming together, making lasting connections, and learn about promoting local businesses.”

Justin posted her newly formed Purpose Driven Networking (aka PDN) events on Facebook. It took immediate hold. In July more than 50 people showed up to make new connections and promote their businesses.

“I like the idea of putting money in everyone’s pocket,” Justin says. “I also want to know about area businesses in more detail. That allows me, a business owner, to refer my top-of-the-line customers who grow local companies.”

Whether people are employed or not, all are welcome to attend PDN’s twice monthly informal gatherings, which run approximately two hours and are scheduled midweek, after work.

“A variety of business professionals attend PDN events,” Justin notes. “We have dentists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, landscapers, builders, political candidates seeking office, skin-care personnel, people in the beauty industry, IT professionals, and many more. It turns out, in this working world it truly is about whom you know. Joining a networking group is invaluable.”

More information about PDN and the following events is available at PDN's Facebook site.

Upcoming PDN Events

• Wednesday, Aug. 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m., People’s Furniture, 6818 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma
• Tuesday, Aug. 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Meconi’s Pub & Eatery, 709 Pacific Ave., Tacoma
• Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Campbell-Cox Floor Covering, Inc., 1002 S. 30th, Tacoma
• Thursday, Sept. 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Bertolino’s Tacoma, 2421 S. Union Ave., Tacoma