DANIEL BLUE: MEET ZACHARY MARVIC >>>

Zachary Marvic was born in Denver, Colo., and moved to Tacoma when he was 2. A magical love child of 1979, the Rocky Mountains had no hold, and the coast drew his family like the autumn wind draws the leaves from trees to the mushy muck that forms in the gutters and all over the sidewalks.

Zachary is an artist, was recently featured at the Helm Gallery downtown that earned him a write-up in City Arts Magazine. The scope of Zach's work is very interesting, marking three stages: Early Tacoma, Olympia, and post New York, which he has recently moved due to "doing everything and not being able to get anything done," he claims. 

I met Zachary through artist/poet Jeremy Silas, who told a story of a drummer with no equal. "He just came into the studio, took off his shirt and was like, LETS GO!" I appreciate this aspect of Zachary's character, this willingness and a ready mind. Currently recording his own solo album and drumming for local Dear Records band Banners, Zach also works in the afternoon and evening at Black Water Café.

His love and compassion leads to a near constant warm smile and friendly demeanor. Zach is a gem.

STEPH DEROSA: I LIKE SAILORS >>>

I don’t care what my husband says; I’m finally going to cross off one item on my bucket list: I’m going to take home a sailor.

Not only am I going to take this sailor home with me, but also I’m going to introduce him to my husband, cook for him, and do a load of his laundry. Think my main man will care? Probably not.

Tall Ships Tacoma is just around the corner and the volunteer sailors are away from home. By the time they get done being all pirate-like for your needy butts, they’ve worked up a hunger and done gone and dirtied up their clothes. So what do you think these guys need? That’s right, they need YOU.

This year Sanford and Son Antiques have graciously offered to be the official “Take Home A Sailor Headquarters.” Volunteers are needed, and I’m encouraging all Weekly Volcano readers and their friends (unless you’re like Matt Driscoll and have no friends) to step up and offer a ride to a laundromat, a home cooked meal, a Doyle’s Cheesy British, a chance to take a break, or anything that might give them a little comfort of home.

Hopefully, by making Sanford and Son the central location for dirty duds, dinners and drivers, do-gooders looking for dimple-faced sailors and eventual dew-eyed departures; this should be a dandy opportunity. The last “Tall Ships,” so we’ve been told, lacked the cohesion needed for everyone to get together.

To pitch in, phone 253.272.0334 or stop in soon at Sanford and Son Antiques, 743 Broadway, downtown Tacoma.

But wait! I’m not done â€" I have some great news! FINALLY the fine people over at Sanford and Son have put together a good ol’ fashion U.S.O Dance â€" and I am beside myself with anticipation. All the gals are getting dressed up in their 1940s gear and guys â€" you just go on lookin’ your usual dapper 1904s selves. (I personally would like to see more handsome men in uniform.) This will take place on whichever evening the TBD volunteer swing band has available. Look here at the Weekly Volcano for more information coming soon.

One more time for all you slow people out there: To pitch in, phone 253.272.0334 or stop in soon at Sanford and Son Antiques, 743 Broadway, downtown Tacoma. Do it!

DANIEL BLUE: MEET DREW SCHOT >>>

Drew Schot was born in Orange County, Calif. Although he has lived in Washington since 1969, he didn't land in our fair city until 1983 where he was a part of the first arts renaissance that occurred in this town, much of which ended up feeding the grunge movement in Seattle. 

Drew is an unlimited source of information about all sorts of things ranging from music to taxes.  He has been in hundreds of bands including High Planes Drifter and Pollution, and sometimes pretends to have played bass on early Fugazzi albums.  Currently he is playing for high-ticket bands such as www.myspace.com/jhthepainkillers">The Painkillers, Community For Public Safety and Check Please, which he is calling his "discord project."

When he is not making music Drew is probably maintaining his painting and plaster company or mastering coffee in the morning at Black Water Café. 

I like Drew because he understands his life is not being lived in vain.   Good bad and ugly, he is unafraid of anything he has done and seems unafraid of anything he has yet to do.  His encouragement makes me think of him like a big brother, and I often see people walking away from Drew with a smile and a sparkle.

STEPH DEROSA: VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE >>>

Even though they don’t serve dinner, Dinner with DeRosa is going to be at A Renaissance Café. Located on Pacific Avenue by hello cupcake (how convenient for us) this café immediately wraps you up in its arms and takes care of you.  They serve a tasty breakfast ANY time of day, and an espresso milkshake to die for.  It nabbed “best kid’s breakfast that’s not a kid’s breakfast” last year in the Weekly Volcano’s Best of Tacoma issue.  They sport Green Eggs and Ham on its menu. The décor is entertaining. Its slogan is “We refuse the right to confuse service to anyone.” And an espresso steamer scrambles the eggs.  I could go on and on, but I won’t.  Just go.  Enjoy.  You’ll be happy, I promise.

First guest this week is Stacey White, owner/operator of Tiki Lounge located in the Stadium District.  I met Stacey about a year ago through my crazy cousin Karen who cuts hair next door at Parvenu.  There’s no way you cannot immediately become friends with Stacey.  At least for me, that is.  And after meeting her I fell in love with her store.  Her fashions are unique and comfortable. Plus I always seem to make a new friend there.  Something about that place makes people happy.

Sandy from Auntie B’s Café in Puyallup is guest number two.  They weren’t too keen on talking to me about much, and seemed pretty thrown off by my friendliness.  I’m finding this to be a common trait amongst business in Puyallup. Regardless, the eggs were pretty good as I took them “to go” and headed over to hang with my girl JustJen at Indulge Cupcakes where I ate my eggs in a friendlier atmosphere.

Ike Shanaman, the lead man of Tacoma’s very own Broken Oars, will be my next guest for this week’s dinner.  During the birthday party for Chris Trashcan (The Red Hot owner), my friend Heather pointed out a great Ike photo opportunity.  I went to the party as a friend, not a Volcano writer, and had told myself ahead of time that I wasn’t there to blog about it.  But this picture I just couldn’t pass up.  Thank you Heather.

At the Stadium District’s Art & Wine Walk last night, I met a talented and gracious artist named Michael Smith.  Michael also owns a lawn care business.  While creating his landscape portfolio he discovered his love and talent for photography.  I have respect for such a hard working and passionate individual.  Look for more of Michael around Tacoma in months to come.  This guy has something.

Last person for dinner is my “bitch of the week.”  In line for my popcorn and ready to check out “Kung Fu Panda,” this lady walks up to me and tells me she’s going to get in front of me.  Yes, she tells me, not asks.  I just stared at her.  So she keeps explaining how she was in this line before I got in the line, and how she went over to another line thinking it was going to be quicker, but it wasn’t, so she wanted her spot back in this line.  You’d think she was joking, right? She was serious.  Who does that?  Really, if you move your feet, you lose your seat.  We learn that in first grade.  So I just keep staring at her, not giving her a yes, a no, or a fuck you.  She stares back.  I stare at her.  It’s at this moment that I learn the best comeback for bitches like her: don’t say anything â€" just stare at them.  It was awesome. She was so confused.  After she took five minutes dictating where exactly she wanted the butter on her popcorn and was about to leave I yelled, “You’re welcome!” in her ear.  I was happy.

Mangiamo!

MEET JAMES JENKINS >>>

James Jenkins was born in Saint Joseph's Hospital on June 22, 1985.   

He has been playing with local band Mama Loves Daddy for longer than you have been alive. 

James is responsible for the phenomenon known among the seedy rock underbelly of Tacoma as "The Gloom House."   Aptly named, this party pit is the after hours destination of nearly every indie show I've attended at the world famous Bob's Java Jive. A smoky den of wild psychedelic chaos, the record player counts off the hours till dawn, and in the filth a shining flame of rock burns its way into another dimension.  I look to James as the godfather of this decade's Tacoma rock.  No other single source has offered more to the scene than James' quiet whiskey smile. 

Owning the largest and most docile cat in the universe is only part of the magic that makes this man who he is to this counter culture. 

A staple at the old Monday night dinners and in certain moments channeling the long dead soul of Jim Morrison, Jenkins is the epitome of what it means to be Tacoma.

LINK: The Tacoma Files archives

DANIEL BLUE: MEET ADAM HALL >>>

Adam Hall was born in 1978 in beautiful Santa Monica, Calif., where he lived until he was 3 until his parents relocated to Tacoma. 

"I moved away when I was 14, and had to go to school in Puyallup, but I would always ride the bus back here because I couldn't make friends with those Puyallup kids," says Adam.

He's back in Tacoma, driving a cab and making music.

Adam is always good for a story - he bumps into a lot of interesting characters in his cab.  Once he told me about a robbery and guns and shots fired and hearts pounding and âÂ�¦ you should just get it from the man himself. 

I like Adam for his conversation style.   HeâÂ�Â�s intelligent, witty, and almost every time I talk to him I come away with a smile on my face.  He seems to know most everyone I know and I often stumble on the most random conversations with him at the center. 

Adam is the king of the good mood.  You can find him between calls drinking coffee and chatting it up with the local color.

LINK: The Tacoma Files archives

DANIEL BLUE: MEET MIKE BALL >>>

Mike Ball was born on Oct. 7 1983, in Los Angeles, Calif.  He moved to Washington at the ripe old age of 10. He called Gig Harbor home until he moved to downtown Tacoma four years ago.

I met Mike several years ago at The Grand Cinema, where he is usually checking up on longtime friends Sean Alexander and Peter Lynn (owners of the Helm Gallery).

Mike is a catch.  Cody Jones, rocker for the hottest band ever, The Elephants, claims Mike is the "most eligible bachelor in all of Tacoma."

How so?

As a hobby, Mike collects rare furniture off craigslist. I've seen his furniture. I tested it. I've sat on the most intelligently engineered chairs and couches - the kind you've seen in Italian films.

Mike is also a stand up guy - the sort of fellow you want on your team, the kind of friend that will tell you the awful truth, even if it hurts a little. 

Currently he commands The Monsoon Room. The Hilltop Tacoma lounge has taken an interesting vibe since mike took some of the reigns from owner Laura Malone.  "He's Perfect," says Laura. 

I intend to agree.

DANIEL BLUE: MEET JAMES SINDING >>>

"I was born in TG! Ten-twenty-seven-eighty-six," says James Sinding. He's lived on Prospect Hill for the majority of his life.

He claims to have attended Tacoma Baptist "for my entire life" but that's impossible because I know that currently he is enrolled in the University of Washington Tacoma Arts Media and Culture program.

The recent recipient of "Best in Show" from The Helm Gallery's 2008 juried exhibition, Sinding's piece was entitled "Quarantine Depression Now" and seems to be the mantra for Sinding's way of life.  Sinding is an artist. People will discover this to be true.  His work is innovative and inspiring. 

An avid bicyclist and generally a leader in pedal culture and style; I am often surprised at the outbursts of joyous laughter that exude from Sinding's oversize frame.  This is a fun loving friend.  I met him at secret beach on the Titlow side, at a random bonfire where I decided he was a good person immediately.  I don't think I've ever made someone laugh that hard in my whole life, but I'm pretty funny and Sinding loves to laugh. 

James is currently a valet driver at the door of the Pacific Grill. He's the tall smiling one - cant miss him.

DANIEL BLUE: MEET JENA STEDTLER >>>

Jena Stedtler moved here In February of 2005, from Marysville, Wash., "also technically from Auburn, Lynnwood and Bellevue," she says with a giggle that is very typical of her cute teddy bear demeanor. Currently she is attending Tacoma Community College, "just trying to learn stuff," and has lived downtown and in the north end since she found Tacoma.

She likes Tacoma for her friends and how separate they are from how things are conventionally done, "There isn't an equation for my friends, I like that a lot of them naturally push buttons and push the limit without even trying."

She thinks this town is the most progressive she has lived, and that is attractive to her. She is very nice, because, "if you are nice it spreads, it makes sense to spread nice around."

I met Jena at the Kickstand Cafe, when she first rolled into town, she was introduced to me by a mutual friend, Kimmy. Kimmy and Jena met at massage therapy school and decided to get an apartment here to reduce their commutes, Jena stayed because of the people that she got to know.

She just got a job at Corina Bakery and Bistro and is planning to spend another year in Tacoma to decide if she should stay here or move to Portland.

MATT DRISCOLL: ERIC ANDERSON IS AT IT AGAIN >>>

Eric Anderson is a man who knows how to brief. If he’s not briefing the press every Friday, he’s briefing the Tacoma City Council on Mondays. Eric Anderson briefs with the best of them. Here’s a look at what our City Manager told the council yesterday:

- Anderson met last week with stakeholders involved with Tollefson Plaza to review and discuss the recommendations made by public space fanatic Lars Gemzoe when he was in Tacoma last month from Copenhagen â€" where he works for the Center for Public Space Research at the School of Architecture.  According to Anderson’s briefing, which was distributed to press types by the lovable Rob McNair-Huff, the plan is to proceed with conceptual drawings that take Gemzoe’s suggestions into consideration. One idea being discussed, though Anderson noted it would require a “considerable public outreach element, is closing 17th Street between Pacific Avenue and Broadway to make for a much bigger contiguous space for the plaza. Mmmm. Contiguous.

- Also, Anderson met with representatives from the LeMay Museum last week to chew the fat about a plan to market Tacoma owned land in the Dome District in conjunction with the construction and opening of LeMay’s new digs in the area. Apparently no firm plan was settled on, and talks between Anderson and LeMay are scheduled to continue.