After last year’s last-minute attempt to put together a Halloween costume, I've learned there may be wisdom in planning a little earlier â€" like do it tomorrow.

I'm off to see the new Mondo Bizarro store inside downtown Tacoma's Sanford and Son. After six years of owning and operating a similar shop in Charleston, South Carolina, Peter and Julie Triplett have made their way back home to open Mondo Bizzaro decided that it was time to return to their home state of Washington and their new business on Tacoma’s Antique Row in the Theater District.

There's has to be something Halloween-ish in their store loaded with alternative comics, robots, vinyl toys, and curious gifts. â€" Suzy Stump

Tacoma is so close to getting fine South of the Border style loving that I can almost taste it.

I took another peek inside my Matador Tex-Mex tequila bar last week.  They were just about to make the concrete floor shine.  All of the booths are in place, the kitchen and bathroom spaces are quickly getting populated, and the gorgeous, long bar is just waiting for Natasha's very own hiney and barstool.  Don't expect an enormous place, but do anticipate being cozy.  They'll have enough sparkly votive candles and the open fire pit; plus tequila will light anyone's fire.  The iron work is incredible, too.  Matador is hoping to open by Nov. 9.

I also just talked to my heroes from Asado.  They're hoping to open their second venture, Masa, high end Mexican yummy, by Nov. 15. The rehab of the building on Sixth Avenue has got me chomping at the bit.  They've installed garage doors on the street level just like Asado so I'll be able to wave at my friends and be seen.  I've also been noting an open airway patio in the upstairs. I'm looking into my crystal ball, and I'm seeing that this location will finally be a success, and I want nothing more than to get after whatever food they're serving.

The tough part will be choosing which one to go to on a regular basis.

Eenie meenie, miny mo, catch Natasha by her toe. â€" Natasha

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce pre-functioned last night in anticipation of Business Expo 2006 at the Tacoma Convention and Trade Center next Tuesday and Wednesday.  Expo is an opportunity to connect with local businesses.  The party was a chance for participants to let their hair down and get ready for the big show.  Held at the Tacoma Club, the food and drinks were divine. â€" Michael Swan

Bagel Brothers (400 Cooper Pt. Rd.) in Olympia announced that they installed a Wi Fi hot spot and it's free to the public â€" no purchase necessary.  Yeah, like you're going to just sit there and not gorge on a pile of cream cheese. â€" Jason de Paul

Pacific Plaza.
Lovely downtown Tacoma gathering spot. Dumb name?
The Tacoma blogging community is linking to Kevin Freitas' blog and his poll to rename Pacific Plaza.
What if this weekend's Chihuly festivities sat on Tacoma Triangle instead of Pacific Plaza?
After the poll closes Monday morning, Freitas will submit the results to the Tacoma City Council Monday night. The council toys changing the plaza's name.
Go here and vote today. â€" Suzy Stump

There's something happening at the north end of Tacoma's Pacific Avenue.  I walked the stretch between 9th and 7th and discovered a sort of pregnant feeling going on. 
There's the soon to open Pita Pit, and the new Body Evolution Spa. 
Through Friday, Aug. 11, Ever After is having a huge sidewalk sale, with cool stuff and prices slashed.  I mean really, really slashed.  Check out the great grab bags for a buck â€" My daughter totally loved hers.
The main signs of new life are in the spaces on the corner of 8th Street where the new Matador restaurant will open.  Also, in the middle of 9th, where a Paddy Coynes will soon serve Irish fare.
Walking through the sawdust of what will be the new Matador, I saw signs of progress, between piles of lumber waiting to be wall studs, and boxes of other building supplies. 
Builder Brian Okroy, who has worked with Matador owners Zak Malang and Nate Opper for the West Seattle and Ballard locations, talks about the style of the building.
“It's kind of urban retro," he says.  "There'll be a lot of ornate metalwork, a really nice fireplace, a lot of cherry.  The owners do their research, we know the people are here (in Tacoma). We're really excited about the build-out.”
Oct. 1 is the anticipated arrival date of the Matador, and it might be just the thing that sets the area up to be the new 6th Avenue.
Also on Pac Avenue, there are the existing lunch and beverage anchors Meconi's and Vin Grotto, and Indian food at India Mahal.  There's long-time tenant The Learning Sprout where, on the first Saturday of every month, kids 3-12 can take part in art and craft activities.
“There's always something interesting going on!” says proprietor Rose Colvin.
How does Colvin feel about the current pregnant feeling in the air?
“I've been here since 1997," she says.  "I've watched it grow and change and it's really awesome."  “I see this area as being like Belltown (in Seattle)”
Andy Kenser, tending bar at Meconi's, and Dave Meconi agree with that assessment. 
“On the development side of things, it's all good,” says Meconi. â€" Jessica Corey-Butler

The folks at Tacoma's Northwest Costume (2315 Sixth Ave.) are such fans of the Weekly Volcano, they take the copies of our rag and insert them into the bags with customers' purchases.  Talk about nice. That certainly earns them a plug on our blog. Northwest Costume, Northwest Costume, Northwest Costume, Northwest Costume, Northwest Costume. â€" Ken Swarner