Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

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December 1, 2012 at 10:22am

Bandito Betty Lou Who is back in the South Sound!

MASH HOME BREW SUPPLY STORE: Looks as if Bandito Betty Lou Who's holiday cheer rubbed off on owner Jason Trujillo.

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO LEAP OF THE DAY >>>

Bandito Betty Lou Who isn't a huge fan of jingtinglers, floofloovers, trumtookas, blumbloopas and the other wack musical instruments her fellow Whos bang during the holiday season. Every two years she gets the hell out of Whoville and spends the holiday season in the South Sound.

She's back. The Weekly Volcano spotted her last week hanging out in the Tacoma Dome District. While she was fiddling with her slooskunka, we went Homeland on her attaching a GPS device to her whocarnio.  We're tracking her. Apparently, she loves Pad Thai.

Today, we found her at MASH home brew supply store on North 21st Street in Tacoma. This morning owner Jason Trujillo discovered her asleep on a bag of hops. Apparently, she knocked over the store's ingredients and supplies needed to make beer.

Being its the holiday season, Lou Who and Trujillo quickly became friends. The Weekly Volcano snapped a shot of them getting all galooking in MASH's showroom before she darted away. Don't worry, like we said, we're tracking her.

Feel free to rate her jump or provide a caption in the comments sections.

MASH, 2714 N. 21ST ST., TACOMA, 253.759.4908

LINK: Weekly Volcano loves the holidays, cats and crafts, so we joined Pinterest.

November 23, 2012 at 8:36am

Craft & Gift Bazaar is born in Tacoma

CRAFT & GIFT BAZAAR: The artwork of Rebekah Slusher will be available for purchase. Photo courtesy of Facebook

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY LIKE >>>

You could spend this weekend with the mall hoard, kicking off your holiday shopping with the frenzied masses. Or, you could celebrate the local-boon that is Small Business Saturday by heading to Uncorked Canvas - a painting studio that offers classes to the masses - for its first annual Craft & Gift Bazaar.

"This is our first year doing this bazaar, as we are newly moved to the Tacoma-area," says Rebekah Slusher, a teacher at Uncorked Canvas. "But we're in this new beautiful studio in the heart of the Theatre District, and we needed to use it for something wonderful!"

Bonus - no Mary Kay or Passion Party tables here!

"Every vendor at our event is a local, small business," says Slusher. "Absolutely no re-sellers, and only hand-crafted wares. Plus, we've made sure that there are no repeat styles or items, so shoppers are sure to find something different at each booth."

The mix of artists will include the likes of Alexis St. John with her fantastical-yet-adorable children's artwork, hand-made jewelry by Suzanne Glazier and Therese Tucker, paintings by Lori Paine and Rebekah Slusher and others. A total of 16 artists will be in the house. Items on sale will include everything from wine charms to steampunk jewelry, Christmas cards to mosaics, ornaments to baby onesies.

There will also be mulled wine and cider flowing freely, treats for all and raffles all weekend long. Saturday only at 2 and 4 p.m. a group of carolers will add some extra festive fun.

Support your local artists and find one-of-a-kind gifts.

UNCORKED CANVAS, SATURDAY, NOV. 24-SUNDAY, NOV. 25, 10 A.M. TO 7 P.M., 711 SAINT HELENS AVE., TACOMA, 253.432.4052

November 21, 2012 at 11:29am

Dear Black Friday ...

EFF OFF BLACK FRIDAY >>> 

UPDATE: Having a sale for Small Business Saturday? Tell our 6,100+ Facebook fans about it by posting it on our page.

I have grown tired of your gimmicks and shenanigans and glittery advertisements. I am officially breaking up with you.

I, along with millions of conscientious consumers, am putting my foot down and letting that turkey settle a day longer before spending my hard-earned cash. That's right, the movement that started in 2010, that has gained momentum and gained my love - Small Business Saturday - is taking the nation by storm. 

And I'm in.

A website and Facebook page are devoted to the cause, and small businesses everywhere are celebrating.

"But, wait!" you might say, your voice dripping with deals, "Ballerina Barbie is only $2.99, wouldn't your children be delighted?"

"No!" I'd shout back, "Black Friday, you are nothing more than a media control tactic to warp our sense of gratification, when really our local economy will thrive and our sense of self-worth will soar when we shop at our neighborhood stores!"

And your little wingman, Cyber Monday, can shove off, too.

Did Small Business Saturday includes technological businesses, too? Info Tech in Federal Way sells computers and parts and will service your device so you don't have to go out and buy a new one and 4th Dimension Computers and Technology in Lacey has been locally owned for more than 15 years and offers deals on not only computers, but ultrabooks, LCD, LED and Plasma TVs.

And there are dozens and dozens of little boutiques, craft fairs, toy shops, galleries and more that provide cuter, classier, more original gifts than your Ballerina Barbie or two-in-one chair massager.

Black Friday, you and your little cohorts can take your long lines, China-made toys, door busting stress and forget about me.

I'm shopping locally on Saturday.

Sincerely,

Nikki McCoy

LINK: Shift Your Shopping Tacoma

Filed under: Business, Holidays, Lacey, Not Cool,

November 17, 2012 at 8:17am

Epic Donuts coming to South Hill Puyallup

I, Cream Puff, am often misunderstood. Doughnuts can get in the way. They're insincere. They aren't authentic. But they're pastries, too. I know that. I know, in some ways, they're pastries as much as I am. Just flour, yeast and sugar. Lord, how many times I've heard that snickered at me. Being a Cream Puff is the loneliest, strangest thing. Oh, I apologize. I'm all worked up. Another doughnut joint is opening up in the area. Apparently Epic Donuts is opening on Puyallup's South Hill early next month. The owners are Tom and Erin Dobrinski, South Hill residents, who plan to sell "The Tastiest Treats in the Galaxy" including donuts, coffee, hot chocolate, and a variety of sodas and juices.

Great.

Filed under: Business, Food & Drink, Puyallup,

November 14, 2012 at 10:05am

Wingman Brewers hooks up with 21 Cellars winery

21 CELLARS: It's really must-y in its cellar right now.

MAKING A TACOMA BEER MORE TACOMA >>>

You know what's awesome? Making beer with wine must - the quite flavorful and useful "leftover" grape skin, seeds and stems from wine mashing - is what's awesome.

You know what's more awesome? If it was produced in Tacoma.

That's Wingman Brewers intention, pairing with Tacoma winery 21 Cellars to produce unique flavored beers distinct to Tacoma.

Two beers - White Betty, a Belgian-style tripel, and Black Widow, an abbey-style beer - will be released at the end of November, says Ken Thoburn, Wingman's head brewer. 

White Betty is a twist on Wingman's Miss-B-Havin, swapping out bitter orange oil for Sémillon white wine must. Fermented together, the result is a hit.

"It has a really cool flavor," says Katrina Lange, assistant winemaker at 21 Cellars. "It has great age-ability, which is right up 21 Cellars alley. There's a really fruity round quality to it."

The Black Widow uses the same technique, but with Tempranillo grape must, providing the dark beer with a "great red wine nose to it," says Thoburn.

Both beers ring in at 10 percent ABV.

Wingman tried mixing the two imbibing favorites last year when it aged it's beer in Pont 21 2007 Cabernet barrels, creating a inspiring and intoxicating (11.4 percent) brew.

"We felt like we had such a good product, we wanted to have something more complex," says Thoburn. "We are really happy it turned out so well, it was a fun experiment. We were very happy to again get the chance to work with 21 Cellars. We enjoy collaboration and it doesn't get any better than working with another local Tacoma business to create something together."

Weekly Volcano will keep you posted on when and where you can find these dynamic duo beers.

November 6, 2012 at 10:43am

Go Local Tacoma: Still fighting for local businesses

DERRICK RHAYN: He knows all about business ... and cool shirts.

CHECKING IN WITH GO LOCAL TACOMA >>>

What do they want?

Answer: A strong economy.

When do they want it?

Answer: Now.

That was the message Go Local Tacoma posted on its Facebook Oct. 25 to shout out its annual membership meeting happening the same night at Stonegate Pizza.  

Gathered on the top floor of the South Tacoma Way house of rum, the membership cheered inspirational speeches, passed out business cards, learned about future projects and chowed on free pizza. Go Local President Derrick Rhayn and Vice-President Patricia Lecy-Davis could have sold the Weekly Volcano a car that night. Inspirational, to say the least.

Afterward, the Volcano hurled a few questions at Rhayn.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Explain your vision for bringing all business organizations together quarterly.

DERRICK RHAYN: One of the overarching goals of Go Local is to create a growing, region wide living network that is comprised of locally owned, independent businesses. This network will source from itself - supply chain will be local - will be used to mine information that can be used for policy and advocacy efforts, such as cultivate network intelligence, and will help create a more resilient local economy - more money stays in the local economy when money is spent at locally owned businesses, and hence more jobs are created and sustained. Go Local's quarterly network nights will assist us in facilitating business to business connections throughout the network by giving locally owned independent businesses the opportunity to come together, share their needs and explain what they have to offer the network. As we build a culture of seeking local first, we envision these network nights as ways of drawing more businesses into our network, connecting these businesses to other businesses, and incorporating the work of other small business support efforts that exist in the region to the network. The result will be a living network that spurs innovation, fosters entrepreneurship, and is resilient.

VOLCANO: What will be Go Local's number one goal be for 2013?

RHAYN: Our number one goal is to incorporate volunteers and members into our network structure so we can grow. This means getting people connected to our various committees that are focused on community banking, local food, entrepreneurial training, and independent media. It also means empowering our network with the vision to enfold others with an interest in a strong local economy into what we are doing.

VOLCANO: At the meeting, Patricia Lecy-Davis said the following: "Going from who you know to what you know about who you know." What exactly does she mean?

RHAYN: Go Local uses a strategy called network weaving to facilitate connections between the various nodes - members - in our network. Network weaving is the practice of increasing connectivity among nodes in such a way that the network becomes more intelligent, is able to innovate, sees increased collaboration, and can be used to identify gaps and unique niches that drive entrepreneurship. One of the primary ways to do this is to increase the amount of information that various members of the network know about each other so that connections are facilitated independently. In other words, this is decentralized leadership and focuses on nurturing a culture of reciprocity and collaboration, as opposed to competition. The underlying premise of the local living economy movement is that strong, connected local economies work more effectively because they are community centric, interdependent, and are based on relationships.  The more we know about others in the network, the stronger the possibility of fostering increased connections. In other words, instead of having a dog-eat-dog economic climate, we say, "How can we all be successful together?" Therefore, the more we know about each other, the better the chance we have to all be successful.

VOLCANO: What is the best way for the community to start "going local"?

RHAYN: The easiest thing to do is to ask yourself a simple question before every purchase: "Can I get this from a local independent business?" If the answer is yes, you have an opportunity to shift your spending habits and strengthen the local economy. Making the mental shift is the best thing anyone can do.

Go Local Tacoma will kick off its annual Shift Your Shopping holiday campaign Friday, Nov. 16, which runs up to Christmas Eve. The campaign, of course, urges the South Sound to shop local during the holiday season. Keep an eye on TacomaShiftHappens.com for launch parties and shopping events.

To join Go Local Tacoma, visit golocaltacoma.com.

November 5, 2012 at 11:30am

Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project has launched

GREEN FLASH: In honor of the "Green Flash" art installation that will grace the Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project, dignitaries snapped green glow sticks.

MONDAY MORNING GROUP HUG >>>

This morning, Tacoma officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project, a beautification and innovative storm water improvement plan that includes new street paving, sidewalks, bicycle lanes and crosswalks along the Pacific Avenue stretch from Old City Hall at Seventh Street to the Tacoma Art Museum at 17th Street.

This is not your Grandfather Sprague's streetscape project.

At the gathering around Fireman's Park just off the north end of the proposed project, Congressman Norm Dicks, Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Tacoma Councilmember Jake Fey and others explained how improvements will enhance the business opportunities and livability of downtown's core street — the "front porch" of downtown Tacoma – adding new curb, gutter and sidewalks, including a bicycle sharrow, on-street parking, landscaped curb bulb outs, street trees, new transit stops, new street furnishings, lighting, public art and signs to direct visitors to various attractions.

"A brighter downtown will be an incentive for smaller and larger businesses alike to bring more jobs and additional economic activity to this community," Rep. Norm Dicks.

In addition to the beautification, the project will integrate innovative stormwater improvements, including storm water planters, pervious pavement and plantings. The green storm water infrastructure includes 14 new rain gardens, which pass the storm water through organically enriched soil that filters out pollutants and either slows the release of the water into the storm system or percolates it into the ground — before draining into the Thea Foss Waterway.

"We have a great partnership with the Tacoma Art Museum," said Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland. "We were able to successfully complete a National Endowment for the Arts grant for the 17th Street portion of this project."

As part of the beautification of Pacific Avenue project artist Elizabeth Conner will install green textural tiles in strategic locations along the 10-block stretch of street and 20 to 28 large-scale botanically-themed concrete sculptures that can convey storm water. The “green flash” concept will be integrated into four bus shelters. Green flashes are optical phenomena that occur shortly after sunset on the ocean's horizon.

Also, strings of lights will be strung above Pacific Avenue near Eighth Street to create a bright canopy of lights.

After many years of planning, design work, construction and implementation, the Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project received a major boost this summer after $3 million from the state's public works board and $978,300 from the Federal Highways Administration arrived. Combined with $4.4 million in grants and local matches previously secured, the city chose Tucci & Sons, Inc. as the project's contractor.

The project is expected to be completed in December 2013.

Dick McKinley, City of Tacoma Public Works director

Rep. Norm Dicks

Sen. Derek Kilmer

Tom Pierson, president and chief executive officer of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

November 4, 2012 at 7:18am

PHOTOS: First peek inside Legendary Doughnuts on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue

LEGENDARY DOUGHNUTS: It opened this morning in Tacoma. Photo credit: Pappi Swarner

HELL YES WE COVER DOUGHNUT SHOP OPENINGS >>>

Oprah doughnuts: It's what's for breakfast - and Legendary Doughnuts is doling them on its first morning of business at 2602 Sixth Ave. in Tacoma. The Oprah is a long maple glazed doughnut topped with crisp bacon - and it's freaking delicious.  

As the Weekly Volcano reported this week, Legendary Doughnuts offers "upward of 50 doughnut varieties, some with sub-varieties on top of that. ... While not all doughnuts are in the case each day, the store keeps some naked doughnuts in the back so you can make requests."

Legendary Doughnut's second customer this morning?

The Weekly Volcano. And we brought a camera.

Filed under: Business, Food & Drink, Tacoma,

October 26, 2012 at 3:28pm

Say goodbye to one of Tacoma's longest-standing dive bars

THE GOLDFISH TAVERN: Say goodbye to your post Five Mile Drive run beer. File photo

THE GOLDFISH TAVERN TO CLOSE ITS DOORS >>>

The Goldfish Tavern will close its doors Wednesday, Oct. 31 at the bar’s location for nearly 80 years at 5310 N. Pearl St. Tacoma. Past-due rent and fewer patrons contributed to the decision to close.

The tavern lived a full and interesting life, serving hundreds of patrons, kicking out handfuls of hooligans and providing an atmosphere of a “home away from home.”

“We’ve been able to stay open this long because of the people who care,” says bartender, co-manager and patron Laura Collins. “We’re like a family.”

Collins tells stories of customers coming together in time of need and always being there for one another. Like when the bar needed firewood for the year to keep their fireplace cozy and inviting, regulars got together and rented a wood splitter, chopping and stacking to keep the supply full.

Collins tells other stories of back in the day, about 45 years ago, when all the tables were goldfish tanks and bikers and college kids would make bets until someone ended up having to eat a goldfish, and at the end of the night, there would be goldfish puked out in the parking lot.

Or another time, when Collins was going through a family loss, and the bar got together to bring her food and comfort.

"It really is a cool dive bar, one of the last in Tacoma," says Collins.

So come out sometime before Nov. 1, order a beer from their 36 varieties and pay homage to a bar that will be greatly missed.

“We want to show gratitude to the people who have been coming here for years,” says Collins. “There are a lot of good memories.”

What are your memories of The Goldfish Tavern?

April 25, 2012 at 7:36am

MORNING SPEW: Tacoma computer thief on camera, America's best cities for hipsters, Carlton Flash Mob ...

PIZZA HUT'S CROWN CRUST PIZZA: The Mayans were right.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Tacoma City Council Laptop Thief: Tacoma Police have photos! (News Tribune)

One Flew Over The Garfield Elementary School: The padded walls at the Olympia school have been removed after complaints. (News Tribune)

Good News: The 96-acre site at the northeast end of the Port of Tacoma's Blair Waterway could become the destination for long unit trains carrying bulk commodities destined for export. (News Tribune)

Mad Cow: South Korea curbs beef sales. (CNN)

Mitt Romney: He's effectively took the Republican Party helm. (The New York Times)

America's Best Cities For Hipsters: We're surrounded. (Huffington Post)

Crown Crust Pizza: The horror. (YouTube)

It's About Time: A synchronized collage of every zoom in Stanley Kubrick's 1980 horror masterpiece, The Shining. (Strangewood)

Coming Soon?: The cardboard disposable digital camera by Ikea. (Design You Trust)

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News and entertainment from Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s most awesome weekly newspapers - The Ranger, Northwest Airlifter and Weekly Volcano.

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