STEVE DUNKELBERGER: DEAD GENTLEMEN MAKE A FILM>>>

While Tacoma has been the site of big hit movies over the years, it really hasn't been host of local talent that made a film that made it big. Until now.

Tacoma's Dead Gentlemen Productions has released its latest film and found it rocketing to the top of the Netflix request charts and selling out faster than they can burn the DVDs. The gathering of Pacific Lutheran University graduates turned actors and now movie moguls first made it big with their short film The Gamers a few years ago as it build a cult following among the comic book and roll playing communities of the world.

The movie went on  to be screened to rave reviews in dozens of film festivals and game conventions worldwide. It took home the award for Best Fan Film of 2003. The latest film, The Gamers: Dorkness Rising, tells the story of Lodge, a dungeon master in a roll playing game and budding writer, who wants his gaming group to finish their adventure. They have other interests, including picking up girls and setting things on fire. He then tosses in a curve into the game by introducing one of the rarest animals to the roll playing community â€" a girl.

This parody takes good-humored digs at the gaming community in ways that the the holders of those odd shaped dice would find funny. It was a film that was obviously crafted instead of just filmed to be a throw-away sequel to its previous sleeper hit sibling.

"Those who've seen it are saying that jokes hit harder and funnier, which is a huge success in my book," Dead Gentlemen Productions Executive Producer Don Early says. "You don't have to know anything about Dungeons and Dragons or roleplaying games to get the movie, have fun and laugh hard. If you are familiar with the subject matter, it will be that much funnier. We really focused on making this movie accessible for everyone so we can widen our fan base. It's a real character movie that moves well and really shows you what playing roleplaying games are like. The first movie was more like a series of sketches strung together. We might revisit that model later in another movie, but for Dorkness, the character narrative was the next logical step for us."

[The local stars of The Gamers: Dorkness Rising will be holding a signing event at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31, at Comic Book Ink, located at 1625 E. 72nd Street and Portland Avenue. More information is available at www.deadgentlemen.com or www.comicbookink.com.]

CARMEN JONES: FURNITURE, THE MIX AND TOP OF TACOMA >>>

I felt impressed in an unequivocal way with last night and all of the powerhouse people that I was lucky enough to mingle with. That's why I need to forever refer to Aug. 21 as Makin’ It Happen Night.

I popped into the showroom opening for Jeffrey Braun Furniture. He and his lovely wife Lindsay are truly Makin’ It Happen with Jeffrey's gorgeous furniture that pairs classic and modern style. I'm very happy for them and the fact that this business is booming.

After, I ran into an individual and some signage that made me stop in my tracks:

In Makin’ It Happen fashion, the new owners of The Mix â€" Johnathan and Brock â€" have single-handedly created such a light and inviting environment, and that place was buzzing with happy faces, and sing-along pop music that was pumping from the juke box, thanks to Krista The Sista.

Now let's take a look at the beautiful boys who hang out there:

I LOVE that T-Shirt.

I also laughed when I found out that The Mix sells these:

Following such a thoroughly good time, and jointly belting out Mariah Carey's “Vision of Love,” I jumped up the hill for another Makin’ It Happen event: The Top of Tacoma rock show with Pioneers West, Trip the Light Fantastic and the Dirty Knockers. OMG, the house was PACKED with a stellar mix of people who were ripping it up (way to go Top of Tacoma crew!). Tall Troy, Hammer, Niels, Neil, Matt and Laura Eklund, Tiny Dancer, Bonnie Bell, Little Lauren, Matt and Sarah, Ebony, Mr. Sienna, J-Rod, Cob, Darling Damon, Lovely Leah, Shelbinator, Stupid Sutton, Victoria, Hahn Solo, holy crap the list goes on and on.

And of course, here are some of the T-Town rock stars that were Makin’ It Happen.

I probably shaved off yet another 10 percent of my auditory ability after that rock show, but when you're out on a night where so many people are Makin’ It Happen, I think it's completely worth it.

LINK: Carmen Jones' Permanent Lipstick column

DANIEL BLUE: MEET GLEN WEIMAN >>>

Glen Weiman and I met several years ago at a mutual friend's house in Federal Way. Newly married, Glen and his wife, Holly, have purchased a cute home on South G Street right here in the heart of downtown Tacoma.

He is currently employed at Rusty George Creative and is a member of the sustainability and community activism group called Local Life Tacoma. I have worked with Glen on a few projects in the arena of freelance graphic design. He created the artwork that hung over the farmers market on the banners that dictated a poem about the beauty of farm fresh food. His work is precise and approachable. If you add that to the gentle and good-natured attitude he brings to the table, you have yourself an extremely hirable designer. Don't expect RJC to release him from their iron grip (rusty as it may be) anytime soon.

As we age, Glen and I have discussed the trappings of the American way. Long hours, big bills, swelling thighs - ahh -  to be comfortable in one's own backyard simply has failed to satisfy. Glen is looking for another path. The path of a being that needs to know that the world is well, even outside of his yard, even outside of his block.

LINK: The Tacoma Files archive

MICHAEL SWAN: CALIFORNIA COMPANY BUYS LEMAY >>>

This just came over the PRNewswire:

Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE: WCN) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Harold LeMay Enterprises, Incorporated ("LeMay").  Founded in 1942, LeMay is the largest privately-owned solid waste services company in the Pacific Northwest with total annual revenue of approximately $100 million.  LeMay provides solid waste collection, recycling and transfer services, a majority of which under exclusive G Certificates for the counties of Gray's Harbor, Lewis, Pierce and Thurston.  The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval and receipt of local municipal consents.  Closing is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of2008.

Waste Connections also announced that it has entered into an agreement with entities affiliated with LeMay to acquire the remaining interests in Pierce County Recycling, Composting and Disposal, LLC ("PCRCD"), a provider of solid waste disposal, transfer, recycling and composting services, which is currently a majority-owned subsidiary of Waste Connections.  Upon completion of this acquisition, PCRCD will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Waste Connections.

Waste Connections, Inc. was founded in September 1997 and is headquartered in Folsom, California.

MATT DRISCOLL: Mmmmm scones >>>

While we’ve known for a while here at the Weekly Volcano, last Wednesday it became official.

Creig Kostoff, (not pictured) owner of Sofia Bistro, has purchased and taken control of the Mandolin Café. The change will affect both restaurants, but only slightly.

In terms of the Mandolin Café, the only changes long time customers should expect is an upgrade in food and service. Changing the music, atmosphere, or vibe of the Mandolin isn’t in Kostoff’s plans.

“We’re using the kitchen (at Sofia Bistro) to upgrade the food,” says Kostoff. “We want to increase the level of service and do a better meal. We’ll keep everything else the same.”

Part of that better meal at the Mandolin involves a pastry chef, who â€" working from Sofia’s kitchen - will fill the Mandolin’s coffers with all sorts of fresh baked delights like scones, muffins, croissants and quiches. Fresh soups are also in the Mandolin game plan.

Kostoff says customers can also expect an upgrade in the Mandolin’s wine and beer, and that wine tasting events will continue at the cafe.

The only change that should be noticeable at the Sofia Bistro will be at lunch. While Sofia had offered a lunch menu during the day, they’ve ceased that operation to focus on dinner- a change that’s been in affect for over a month. Sous Chef Jaron Witsoe has been brought in to help with the seven nights a week dinner operation. Kostoff calls Witsoe both young and extremely talented.

In all, it’s nothing but good news for stomachs all around Tacoma.

STEPH DEROSA: WHO DOES THAT? >>>

Look, I don't blame some of the folks at Jazzbones. I wouldn't want to clean a damn public bathroom- no matter how much you paid me. And let's just all come to terms with the fact that the ladies room at Jazzbones is always going to be one of the worst public restrooms in Tacoma. Hundreds of drunken idiots are using those facilites on any given weekend, so it's bound to be a torn-up mess by the time I step foot in there.

Guaranteed there's either going to be no toilet paper, or no hand soap, or a clogged toilet, or no paper towels, or a wet floor (not fun for flip-flops), or a toilet that you have to flush by lifting the back lid and pulling up the plug manually. And can I just mention that aside from the handicapped toilet, the only other stall is about as big as a shoebox? I'm not talkin' a big ol' Doc Martin's shoebox either, I'm talkin' 'bout my 5-year-old daughter's shoebox. Seriously, who has hundreds of people inside a venue for a packed live performance and only two girl's stalls? Who does that? Yeah, yeah, I know- there's another bathroom upstairs. But when you're tearin' up the dance floor in front of Bumma Stoge, who wants to haul their ass all the way up to those rooms?

While I waited in the inevitable girls' restroom pee-line, I started to ponder other unbelievable "Who does that?" situations.

Most recent example: Zoobilee last Friday. Steph DeRosa did not dress up as much as some of the other gals. I donned a simple black dress, but accessorized with some hot pink décor. (The small hot pink handbag was on sale, OK?) Well, a woman walked up to me, and this was the conversation:
Her: I have that same scarf!
Me: Oh cool!
Her: I got mine in Santa Cruz.
Me: Wow, nice.
Her: Where did you get yours?
Me: Macy's.
Her: Oh, well mine is just like yours but I got it in Santa Cruz. I probably paid too much for it.
Me: Yeah but you have a way better story to tell about where you got it! Unlike Macy's.
Her: Yeah, and I was staying in a twenty-million-dollar house, so...

Who does that? Who says stuff like that to a complete stranger, and out of nowhere? I just replied, "Oh, cool" and then walked away. What was she trying to prove? Was she threatened by me? Or my stupid Macy's scarf? Was she an insecure money-grubber, or what? Seriously, who says that?

Example number two: Pearly Whites Laser Dentistry on Ruston Way. I have extremely sensitive teeth, so I was looking for a less intrusive way to have my teeth cleaned. I personally went into their Ruston Way office, talked to the receptionist, asked my questions, etc., etc., etc. I made an appointment, but told them that I would be checking in with my dental insurance to make sure that they would cover some of the costs of laser dentistry.

The morning before the appointment at about 10 a.m., I still had not clarified things with my dental insurance, so I called Pearly Whites to reschedule my appointment. Now, just for clarification- my appointment wasn't until 1:30 p.m. the next day, so this was over 24 hours notice. Here's the conversation:

Me: I still haven't spoken with my insurance, so I need to reschedule my appointment I have tomorrow.
Them: Do you have a day yet that you want to reschedule?
Me: Let me look at my calendar.
Them: Make sure it's a day that you are sure you can make it.
Me: Excuse me?
Them: Make sure it's a day that you know you're not going to have to reschedule.
Me: What do you mean? (Disbelief)
Them: We don't like it when people reschedule their appointments. That's why we send out reminder cards.
Me: Then maybe I should just cancel my appointment altogether.
Them: Yeah, and then you can call back and make an appointment when you know you aren't going to cancel.

Who says that? Answer me! I'm appalled that this kind of shit comes out of people's mouths! Especially when they are a business like that-no one NEEDS laser dentistry, it is a luxury and they should come off as appealing and welcoming to the consumer. Am I right? Give me a fucking break.

I could go on and on with examples, mainly with ones about my mother-in-law. People say the dumbest shit to me. I think it's a brain disease that causes people not to think before they open their mouths. In the meantime, here's a video that cheers me up.

LINK: Toilet Tales archive

SUZY STUMP: LOVE THE SHOES >>>

Guess who is a Tacoma superpower?

We have known this for years.

LINK: Scoot Pink

JOSH NORTON: MARKET CLOSED FOR MARKETING >>>

The cadre of cops blocking off parts of Market Street last night had nothing to do with a shooting, robbery or Robert the Traveler Hill sighting. According to one Tacoma Police officer, working for hire, they had shut down a stretch to film a car commercial. He had signed a contract stipulating silence, and wasn't down with pictures, but said Tacoma would appear in a major car commercial within three weeks. God I hope it's not for the new Toyota Tacoma. Because that would be the stupidest idea ever.

LINK: More commercial information on Exit133

STEPH DEROSA: TACOMA NORDSTROM GRAND OPENING >>>

The original projected opening date of the new Tacoma Mall Nordstrom is expected to be Oct. 3, 2008 at 10 a.m.

As I'm typically a supporter of small locally owned businesses, there's no denying my intense love for Nordstrom as well. The service is unbeatable, and the attention to fitting detail in all departments is impressive. If you've ever bought a bra or a pair of children's shoes at Nordy's, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

For the few of us who are anxiously waiting for this grand new store to be unveiled, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! The Tacoma Mall Nordstrom's Grand Opening Gala will be Tuesday, Sept. 30. Tickets are $75, but don't get your Juicy Coiture lace panties in a wad, ALL proceeds will benefit the Tacoma Art Museum and Museum of Glass.

And leave it to me to find out the skinny on what will happen with the coffee cafe that is now separate, but next to, the present day Nordstrom. The new and improved store will soon house the cafe inside its full doors, right about where the purses are located now. The small collection of housewares and decorative items that are now inside the tiny cafe will also have their very own area inside one of the three brand new floors of Tacoma Mall Nordstrom.

And luckily for me, the restaurant will still be around, and will still be serving up Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. I just hope they don't change the snickerdoodle recipe or I'm going on full protest. That is, unless I bust one of my bras.

Dammit, Nordstrom, you've spoiled me!

MATT DRISCOLL: THE GAME OF POLITICS >>>

A surefire tell that it’s an election year is the political endorsement. When politicians start sending out press releases to hack journalists like me touting groups or organizations (big and small) that have “endorsed” their candidacies, well, you know the time honored game of politics is in full swing. It’s an ugly and vile sport, full of treachery and deceit, but hell â€" someone’s got to play. Better the shameless, publicity fiend politicians than you or me. We’ve got decency.

This morning State Senator Mike Carrell’s campaign for reelection got a boost when the National Federation of Independent Business Washington Safe Trust sent out a notice endorsing the 28th District Republican, who represents Lakewood, Dupont, University Place, Fircrest, and all godforsaken points in between. Based on the length of the NFIB Washington Safe Trust’s name, the endorsement must be important.

For the record, the NFIB is a national lobbying group that represents small business owners and has offices in all fifty states. Safe Trust is the political action group of NFIB/Washington. Members of NFIB Safe Trust Washington typically enjoy missionary position sex and the show Deal or No Deal.

The NFIB’s rationale for the endorsement is simple. It’s based on Carrell’s voting record on 15 bills during the 2007 and 2008 sessions that the NFIB Washington has identified as “important to small business.” Incumbents with an 85% or better pro small business voting record (in the eyes, and according to NFIB Washington Safe Trust) automatically received an endorsement.   

And that, ladies and gents, is how Mr. Carrell earned the nod. For a list of the bills the NFIB Washington Safe Trust have identified as “important to small business” click here.

Perhaps more interesting than the endorsement itself, was the list of NFIB gathered statistics provided in the press release. According to the NFIB, 75 percent of voters trust small-business owners more than doctors or lawyers.

Unfortunately, politicians were not part of that poll.