WE SHARE THAT IT SHARES >>>

Ever eaten a one of those fantastic buns clasping the juicy burgers at Darby's Café, picked up a pastry while visiting Orca Books, or snacked on a scone from Evergreen Stae College's Flaming Eggplant Café?

Then you've enjoyed artisan-baked goods from 8 Arms Community Bakery. Since 2007, 8 Arms has been mixing and baking for the South Sound.

With 28 locations throughout Thurston and Mason counties, including co-ops, coffee houses, farmers markets and bookstores, 8 Arms bakes traditional, vegan and gluten-free goods made from natural and local ingredients.

In addition to the storefront locations, baked goods can also be procured through the baker's community share program, or "share session." The eight or 20-week sessions range in size and cost to suit your needs, and can include items like slicing breads, specialty breads, granola and desserts. Drop locations are conveniently located in numerous locations around town. The next share session runs Jan. 8-May 21.

8 ARMS COMMUNITY BAKERY, 413 Decatur St. NW, Olympia, 360.754.6894

SATURDAY, DEC. 21 2013 >>>

1. Slutty Hearts' recent EP, Bones in the Snow, opens by referencing Nancy Sinatra. It's a fitting introduction to the Slutty Hearts ethos, which shares some qualities with Sinatra's spooky romanticism. Dark garage pop gems positively drip from the mouths and fingers of Slutty Hearts - devoted exercises in melodicism and attitude. Like the Violent Femmes (or Seattle's Pillow Army, for that matter), Slutty Hearts' band name tips off the listener with opposing and contradictory terms. Yes, there's an element of sleazy party-hardy energy to their music, but there's just as much swooning vocals and evocative lyrics to counterbalance the danciness. Catch the band with Vox Mod and Back From Hiatus at 8 p.m. in Bob's Java Jive. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on the Slutty Hearts in the Music & Culture section.

2. There are some hobbies better kept quiet. You know, the ones you do alone in your basement late at night. And then there are some truly cool hobbies, like model railroads. These should be celebrated and dragged out in the open for all to admire - which is why the Model Train Festival, downtown Tacoma's biggest model railroad exposition (taking into account, of course, the relatively small size of the subjects at hand because they are, of course, models), will run 10 days beginning today at 10 a.m. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy every floor of the Washington State History Museum filled with operating modular layouts. Santa is in the house 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 21-23. And, remember to look both ways before crossing, and keep your pennies to yourself.

3. There's nothing better than this holiday recipe: great holiday flick, warm and cozy movie theater, hot buttery popcorn and some sweet treats. Well, the wonderful and eclectic Grand Cinema in Tacoma launches two holiday classics today. The movie version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is sure to delight the kiddies and adults alike. Based on the family classic holiday TV show, watch the creepy ole' Grinch's heart grow giddy with the holiday spirit in this endearing flick. It's free for the first 100 people through the door for this 10 a.m. flick. For those who prefer a bit of a darker production, check out Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale at 10 a.m. and 8:15 p.m. Set in Finland, the unusual and terrifically bizarre plot features disappearing children, a kidnapped Santa, vengeful elves and some debauchery. Cool. Oh, and need a last-minute gift? The Grand has great movie and dinner gift certificate packages.

4. The Tacoma Brewing Co. is celebrating Gingerfest from 5-9 p.m. This will be the first time all three of its hard ginger ales - white, golden and spicy - will be on tap simultaneously. According to the Tacoma Brewing Co.'s owner Morgan Alexander, all the hard ginger ales are made on site, in small handcrafted batches. And what exactly is a "hard" ginger ale? According to Alexander, the flavors are more complex and not as sweet. Gingerfest will highlight TCB's versatility by utilizing the ales in custom cocktails. What's more, Alexander states if you come dressed as your favorite redhead, you'll get a dollar off your first drink. Here are a few of my costume suggestions: Amy Pond, Ginny Weasley, Conan O'Brien, Vincent Van Gogh, Molly Ringwald, Dana Scully, Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals, Willie Nelson and everyone's favorite Tacoma redhead, Lynn Di Nino.

5. NWCZ Radio's Night of Gritness Presents - A Merry Gritness will be held at 8 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge. OK, the title is a bit redundant. That said, maybe NWCZ needed twice the grit in the title considering the confirmed line-up: Big Wheel Stunt Show, Fred Speakman, Gavin Guss, Halcion Halo, Bandolier, Regan Lane, The Harolds, The Gimmer That Stole Christmas and The Reindeer Droppings. Best of all, the money collected will go to the Tacoma Rescue Mission. Donations of food will also be collected. Expect an evening of both holiday and original tunes. Bandolier even promises to play "some awesome Festivus songs." Maybe "O Festivus Pole, O Festivus Pole"?

BONUS: Kurt Lindsay rocking the Franciscan Polar Plaza ice rink from 7-9 p.m.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Saturday, Dec. 21 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

SATURDAY, DEC. 14, 2013 >>>

1. So Christmas is preparing to sidle up next to you and give a wet kiss under the mistletoe as it pickpockets your wallet. You want to celebrate the forthcoming holiday season but maybe you feel like you didn't fully get your Halloween fix satiated. What to do? Luckily the solution is called Happy HellaDaze's Evil Christmas Spectacular. What the hell is Happy HellaDaze's Evil Christmas Spectacular? It's a group of people who dress up in their finest evil-Christmas wear - Bad Santas, Satanic Santas, Krampuses, disgruntled elves, homicidal Mrs. Clauses, crazed reindeer, maniacal Christmas trees, sinister holiday packages, zombie snowmen and such - and then board en mass the Tacoma Link downtown to various bars. The reactions of unsuspecting holiday travelers will be half the fun. Alfred's Café and Bubble Room serves as the starting point. Participants meet there at 3 p.m. before taking the light rail to the next stop. Though how much more evil can you get than a place called the "Bubble Room"?

2. The autoharp, invented in the 1880s and a fad in the 1890s, became a virtuoso instrument among musicians in the early to mid 20th century. There's a huge debate on whether a German immigrant in Philadelphia by the name of Charles F. Zimmermann or Karl August Gütter of Markneukirchen, Germany, invented the autoharp. Now, will you need to know any of this to appreciate autoharp master Bryan Bowers at 2 p.m. in the Tacoma Public Library, when he busts out a free holiday concert sure to delight the masses? Of course not. But it won't hurt. And it just might make Bowers' mastery of the autoharp all the more impressive, as the singer songwriter is often credited as having redefined the instrument.

3. OK, while the winter solstice technically is the shortest day of the year, and nighttime falls at a ridiculously early hour, for some, the solstice means getting their party on and celebrating. In the Appalachia region, winter solstice means breaking out the instruments, sweet treats and excellent libations in a festival of dancing, music and storytelling. So why can't the South Puget Sound enjoy the same, right? Ah, but we can. The Puget Sound Revels performance brings traditions, energy and spirit right here to our own backyard in an electric, inspirational performance at 2 and 7 p.m. in the Rialto Theater.

4. Working our way through Modern Kin's self-titled debut, the word that kept swimming around in our heads was "skeletal." Though the songs are adorned with expansive reverb, what you really pick out and identify are the three people behind the songs: Drew Grow, Kris Doty and Jeremiah Hayden. Even though Modern Kin's sound is big, the songs remain testaments to the tight musicianship of the trio. Modern Kin is a remarkable surefooted debut for the band, and one of the reasons may be that it's actually not a debut - not really, anyway. Modern Kin began life in 2007 as Drew Grow and the Pastors' Wives, an acclaimed folk-rock band that incorporated elements of soul and spine-tingling gospel. Recently, with the loss of a member, the decision was made that a change was needed. Catch the band with Not From Brooklyn and Us Lights at 8 p.m. in Grit City Grindhouse. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Modern Kin in the Music & Culture section.

5. If you could say one thing about Purr Gato, it's that they certainly aren't into half measures. Performing absurd, space-age get-ups and brightly colored wigs, Purr Gato embrace the spectacle of performance. Lead singer Kitty K rocks a honest-to-goodness keytar, if that gives you a good idea of what to expect. Combining cartoonish new wave with trip-hop and four-on-the-floor electronica, Purr Gato make music that seems tailor made to be blared at drugged out music festivals. Catch the band at 10 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Saturday, Dec. 14 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, DEC. 13 2013 >>>

Ed. note: This show is actually Saturday, Dec. 14: 1. Working our way through Modern Kin's self-titled debut, the word that kept swimming around in our heads was "skeletal." Though the songs are adorned with expansive reverb, what you really pick out and identify are the three people behind the songs: Drew Grow, Kris Doty and Jeremiah Hayden. Even though Modern Kin's sound is big, the songs remain testaments to the tight musicianship of the trio. Modern Kin is a remarkable surefooted debut for the band, and one of the reasons may be that it's actually not a debut - not really, anyway. Modern Kin began life in 2007 as Drew Grow and the Pastors' Wives, an acclaimed folk-rock band that incorporated elements of soul and spine-tingling gospel. Recently, with the loss of a member, the decision was made that a change was needed. Catch the band with Not From Brooklyn and Us Lights at 8 p.m. in Grit City Grindhouse. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Modern Kin in the Music & Culture section.

2. So many times during the holiday season, there are great events that last just a day, and, if we're lucky, maybe two days. However, LeMay America's Car Museum, a South Sound, state and national automotive loving treasure, takes it 12 steps further. Enjoy 12 days of Christmas at this iconic museum with awesome giveaways, Santa Claus, kid and family activities and all the rad transportation goodness that you can possibly take. Visit the website for the activities of the day. 

3. Don your festive cool weather gear and pop down to the Foss Waterway Seaport on the esplanade to see festive boats from the Tacoma Yacht Club all decked out in holiday lights and displays as they make their way to the Foss Waterway from 7:30-9 p.m. Enjoy a little holiday treat and cocoa (provided by Goodwill's Neighborhood Bistro) by the sea as you watch the boats cruise on by. Do good and bring a non-perishable food item to help out the St. Leo's food drive.

4. The Spider Ferns are a duo that aim to hypnotize. Made up largely of just electric guitar and bass, with no drums, there is very little to prevent you from getting lulled into their bubbling tones. Without percussion, the sounds tend to just wash over you, lively though they may sometimes get. The band performs at 9 p.m. with Oh Dear! and J. Martin in The New Frontier Lounge.

5. Tonight is the first show from Muh Grog Zoo, a four-man improv group that creates an improvised one-act play, starting only with a single word from the audience. Shout the word at 9:45 p.m. in The Lakewood Playhouse.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Friday, Dec. 13 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, DEC. 12 2013 >>>

1. Ho, ho, hold up  -  where's your ugly holiday sweater? Don't show up to Tacoma Runners Ugly Sweater Run tonight without one, because some sort of ugliness  -  be it a deck-the-halls display or a simple Santa face - is mandatory. The event will kick off with a 6:30 p.m. check-in at Slappy's Garage - North End Tavern. The Christmasy 3-mile run will wind through Tacoma's northend, with the runners returning to Slappy's to toss back a bunch of drinkies. You've finally got a use for that reindeer sweater grandma knitted you, so Febreeze off the mothball odor and come run around the Proctor District to spread some Christmas cheer.

Read more...

SUNDAY, DEC. 8 2013 >>>

1. Generally, music intended for children is perky, chipmunk-y, condescending, cloying and unlistenable for anyone old enough to cut his or her own meat. Enter Kim Archer (cue: needle scratching across Bill Withers' "Use Me"). That's right, kiddies. Tacoma's R&B, soul and funk queen will strum from a doll chair and cause a clap riot from 1-2:30 p.m. at Gibson's Frozen Yogurt Shoppe in Tacoma's Stadium District. Good Mojo Records has released a full length, all original children's music, Music from Planet Cool, featuring the songwriting and vocal talents of Archer and Ivan Pla. The 10-track CD is an accompaniment to the series of books from Tacoma-based publishers Max 'n Me Studio called the Magic Friendship Series. They began as stories from the viewpoint of a 10-year-old autistic boy named Max. Pile the kids into the Family Truckster and head to the sweet tastes of Gibson's e for a Sunday afternoon CD release party.

2. Sugar and spice and everything free is the song for today's Let It Snow community festival, a merry, merry tradition that's ho-ho-hosted every year by the Tacoma Art Museum. The free community event lights up at 10 a.m. and includes dance performances and festive music. While the entertainment fills the main floor, free craft projects will be offered upstairs. Create a pop-up holiday card for family and friends, or buy something cool in the gift shop. Everything the Tacoma Art Museum envisioned this holiday season comes to fruition today.

3. On a scale of one to 10 (one being the worst, 10 being the best), there is a Southwestern Washington community tradition that takes holiday tree decorating to an 11. Better yet? These beautiful trees (along with fun festivities) are present for a great cause. The annual Festival of Trees benefits the children and families of Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center. Approximately 70 uniquely decorated trees set in a fairy-like holiday wonderland can be seen from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center.

4. The "War on Christmas" decried by Sarah Palin and Bill O'Reilly isn't evident in South Sound theater, which is producing a rich variety of appropriately jolly and family-friendly shows for the holiday season. Weekly Volcano theater critics Joann Varnell and Christian Carvajal chime in with their thoughts on four local productions here.

5. Little Bill has formed a big band for his Blues Vespers Christmas Blues Show at 4 p.m. in the Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tacoma. 

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Sunday, Dec. 8 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Christmas arrives today at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The Lewis Community Spouses' Club (LCSC) is sponsoring its annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes in the Broadmoor neighborhood tonight from 3 to 7pm.

An earlier tour was held last evening.

The tours begin at the LCSC Cottage and will include 20 homes decorated for the season.

"This is my favorite time of the year," Gwyn Nielsen said as we walked through her home. 

"We have 12 trees decorated because we were married on the 12th day of the 12 month at 12 noon."

Nielsen's husband, Lt. Col. Shannon Nielsen commands 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment.

>>> Cookies await Santa at the home of Maj. and Mrs. Daniel Rempfer.

Not too far distant, Jannette Rempfer looks forward to opening her home for the second time.

Her husband, Maj. Daniel Rempfer is currently deployed to Japan with I Corps in support of Yama Sakura.

"There was a lot to do to prepare for the tour," she said, "but I enjoy doing this."

>>> A unique combination of lighting and decoration gives this room in the Rempfer home the unique feel of "Jack Frost."

Of note was the cookie jar for Santa and the Jack Frost motif in an upstairs bathroom.

"This is our first time having Christmas on post," Rempfer continued.  "And it is good to know that we take care of each other when away from family."

For more information about the tour, visit 1stvice@jblmlcsc.org.

>>> Guests during JBLM's Christmas Tour of Historic Homes will be greeted by the Nutcracker in the home of Maj. and Mrs. Daniel Rempfer.

>>> Christmas cheer begins at the front porch at the home of Lt. Col. and Mrs. Shannon Nielsen.

>>> A veteran of many Christmases, a gumball wreath adorns a door in the Nielsen home.

>>> A large tree lights the living room in the Nielsen home.