WHAT WE FOUND TODAY >>>

Anderson The Terrible: Tacoma City Council says talking to the former city manager was like talking to the hand. (News Tribune)

War Of The Seven Word Message: Mr. Clear Channel Outdoor, tear down those 190 billboards. (News Tribune)

Recall Election: Republicans hold on to their union-hating majority in Wisconsin. (Seattle Times)

Oh No: Economist thinks China may topple the global financial situation on purpose. And that's how money ruins friendships, as if we were every friends with China. (Reuters)

Gawd We Love Him: Someone forgot to tell Alec Baldwin that print is dead. (Poynter)

Dance Motherfucker: Pop culture's 20 greatest dancing GIFs (Pajiba)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Lemme Tell You Somethin': Pierce County Fire Marshal has thrown down a countywide burn ban prompted by long-range forecasts calling for continued dry weather. You can't light up until Friday, Sept. 30.

Did You Hear The Bell?: Washington State Education Secretary Arne Duncan will announce a new waiver system today to give schools a break from testing mandates in the federal No Child Left Behind law. (News Tribune)

Slip Sliding Away: Stocks (CNN)

Poor Standard: Credit rating agencies sure are helpful as U.S. is downgraded for the first time in history. (New York Times)

Momentum: Weekend riots in London continue to wreak havoc. (Guardian)

Exciting: Animal Planet's Hillybilly Handfishin' teaches us how to noodle. (Discovery Channel)

Science: You are not really happy. (Cracked)

TECH VESTS LOOK DUMB >>>

If you follow every ebb and flow our area's malls (of course you do!), you've surely heard by now that REI plans to open a new, two-story, 25,000-square-foot store in the Olympia Westfield Capital Mall this spring. According to the Olympian (citing to official REI release), the new REI store will occupy the former Mervyns' space next to Forever 21.

That's hot.

In honor of our area's soon-to-be newest spot to buy outdoor gear that you'll never actually use, here's a stupid video of some dumbass falling off a log. Perhaps he needs new boots. ...

THURSDAY, DEC. 2 >>>

1. Talk energy and the economy today at the Harmon Brewery and Restaurant with George Mobus PhD from the University of Washington, Tacoma. Part of the Pacific Science Center and KCTS9 sponsored Tacoma Science Café series, which goes down regularly on the first Thursday of the month, this month's informal chat with an incredibly smart science type will look at "how the economy is like a living thing: both rely on energy." Free, all ages, 7-8:30 p.m.

2. Feel the spirit of Flamenco tonight at the New Frontier when singer Vicente Griego, guitarist Gerado Alcala and dancer Savannah Fuentes do what they do best. These guys are good. Trust us.

3. Massive productions are usually impressive on a lot of levels, but a dead-on a cappella ensemble performance is nothing short of mind blowing. Tonight at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia join Sweet Honey In The Rock - who've been doing the a cappella thing on a world renowned level for over 30 years. Founded by Bernice Johnson Reagon, Sweet Honey In The Rock's music is described as "Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African American legacy and traditions," and featuring a "stunning vocal prowess that captures the complex sounds of Blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, Hip Hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation." Starts at 7:30 p.m.

4. If there's one thing the youth of today are missing out on it's morbid-ass playground rhymes. Where would we be without gems like: "Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks. When she found what she had done, she gave her father forty-one"? Theater Artists Olympia officially opens its production of Blood Relations tomorrow, based on the Lizzie Borden story. But EVEN BETTER, tonight there's a $5 preview for the cheapskates out there or those short on holiday cash! Get a taste of T.A.O. tonight at the Midnight Sun in Olympia for cheap. Starts at 8 p.m.

5. The one-of-a-kind Steve Poltz will perform at Morso Wine Bar in Gig Harbor tonight - an impressive booking put together by the also one-of-a-kind Michael ONeill. The Volcano's Ron Swarner has a good Steve Poltz story. The rest of us may not, but we could after tonight. At the very least this is a show to catch.

CONSUME WITH A CONSCIENCE >>>

Cities all over the nation are supporting American Express' "Small Business Saturday" campaign, which encourages shoppers to consider supporting their local retailers this weekend, particularly the Saturday after Black Friday.  According to Civic Economics, out of every $100 spent on a small business, $68 returns to the community. Nationally, the Small Business Saturday website reports small businesses employ half of all private sector employees. Additionally, the Small Business Administration says, "for every year over the last decade, 60-80% of new jobs were generated by small businesses."

Tacoma and Olympia are ripe with locally owned boutiques, furniture and electronic stores and more.  I encourage you to take a look at your Best Buy, Gap or Target list and consider if those same items could be purchased from a local retailer.

RICH GUYS VS. RICH GUYS AT UWT >>>

Last night, UW Tacoma played host to "The Great State Income Tax Debate" between Bill Gates, Sr. and former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton, in what was being billed as a showdown between two leading minds weighing in on the hot-button issue of I-1098.

Gates, Sr., father of that OTHER Bill Gates and a prominent Seattle lawyer, is one of the authors of the initiative. Gates has pumped a lot of money into the campaign, and believes its core principals are fairness and obligation to maintaining and improving our education system here in the state.

"This will go a long way in promoting tax fairness and meeting our funding gap, with provisions for accountability," said Gates. "We just can't fund the 21^st century education and the 21^st century public services with a tax structure created in 1935."

The Initiative would level a four percent tax on the wealth of our state's most successful citizens, individuals who file over $200k annually and couples who earn more than $400,000.  In addition to instituting an income tax on Washington's wealthy, I-1098 would also reduce property taxes across the board and reduce the Business & Occupation tax. In addition, it would dedicate revenues raised to education. If passed, the Initiative could produce revenues of more than $2 billion by 2012.

"There is a number," said Gates, "and that number is 50. We are 50 out of 50 in the distribution of tax load on its citizens."

In his opening remarks, Gates also commented on recent cuts to education because of the deficit faced by Washington last year.

"There was a recent court finding in Seattle saying our under-funding of education is unconstitutional," Gates explained, pressing firmly with the No. 2 pencil of his voice. "We are not performing to our own expectations."

Gorton, who has been involved politically at both the state and national level and arguing against the initiative last night, feels a reasonable juxtaposition could be made utilizing Oregon and its sales-tax free system, which relies heavily on property and an income tax.

"Washington, even in a recession, is ahead of the United States as a whole, and 30 points ahead of Oregon," touted Gorton, stating that the per capita income of Washingtonians is $6,000 more than their Oregonian counterparts. With Washington above the national trend on unemployment while Oregon is below, Gorton argued emphatically, "Are these unrelated to the tax system? That's a very, very tough sale."

Both sides brought along a venture capitalist pal to hammer out the statistics. Gates was joined on the pro side by Nick Hanauer of Second Avenue Partners, a Seattle venture capital group.  Hanauer, a multi-millionaire, tried to drive home the point several times that investment would not be as hampered as the opposition claims.

"95 percent of a lot is still a lot," argued Hanauer, utilizing California's Income Tax and consistent technological innovators as a case-in-point argument at several points.

"The idea that an income tax will chase innovation out of the state is just not true. If it was true, Silicon Valley would be in Casper, Wyoming."

Wyoming is one of seven states without an income tax, a list that currently includes Washington and South Dakota, as well as Texas and Alaska - both of which rely heavily on their natural resource of oil reserves.

Claiming he was more familiar with fact than hyperbole, the opposition's venture capitalist representative Matt McIlwayne of Madrona Venture Group utilized Connecticut's 20 year-old income tax as a comparative dire warning, stoking the opposition's belief that I-1098, if passed, will lead to an across-the-board income tax for all citizens.

"There was a temporary income tax only on high-earners. It started at 4 percent. Today, 20 years later, we have a permanent tax at 6.5 percent. It starts at $13,000 of income," stated McIlwayne.

"And that's not even the punch line," he continued. "Connecticut has had zero percent job growth that entire time. That's not what I want the future of Washington to be."

In a debate in which neither side was clearly victorious, both sides dropped more than their fair share of sound bites and talking points. In my El Vacio Moral column Friday I'm going do an in-depth review of some of the key points for and against this measure, so we can try to make some sense out of this whole mess and get to the truth of the matter.

Tune in this Friday.

WE'RE LOSING ANOTHER GREAT ONE >>>

Two Vaults Gallery owner Paula Tutmarc-Johnson just send out a press releasing announcing that she is closing her gallery, which is located next to The Grand Cinema in Tacoma.

Hello to all our friends and neighbors,

We are sorry to have to announce the closing of TWO VAULTS Gallery. It has been a long and tough decision, but the economic climate has shown that,  there simply are not enough sales to continue.  We hope you will join us for our last ARTWALK evening on Thursday May 20th, where we are still featuring the inspired encaustic/mixed media and 3 dimensional work of Carla Dimitriou.

Now is the time ... if you have been eyeing something here, we will give you the best deal we can, so it never hurts at ask.

Two Vaults will be open through May 2010 and closed on June 1st.

Jerry and I both thank you all,  the art community of Tacoma, our friends and artists throughout the Puget Sound region and beyond. ... there are too many of you to name here, but please know that we have enjoyed every moment chatting with you, and aknowledging your friendly waves as you pass by. We will miss you and the gallery, but you are likely to see us at Artwalk and other events throughout the city. Please do all you can to continue to support the wonderful remaining galleries and venues here in Tacoma. We need these wonderful places to stay open . Turn out for the events, and buy art if you can! I hope to see you soon.
 
All the best to each and everyone of you,

Paula Tutmarc-Johnson

PAUL SCHRAG: THE HEDGE >>>

Dr. S. Aaron Hegde has a redream. What the hell is a redream? Well, you remember the American dream? It's the one where everyone in the world was invited to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the land of the free - mostly the freedom to pursue dreams.

But a crippled economy has changed the game for many.

Hedge will share how this economic nosedive is affecting the dreams of undocumented workers - who contribute billions of dollars every year to our economy.

[Saint Martin's University Harned Hall 110, Friday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m., free, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, 360.438.4332]

LINK: More details here

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Oh No: State pension funds fall short.

Stepdads Rule: Yelm man saves twin stepdaughters from their burning house.

Port Problem: Development on the east side of the Blair Waterway is over.

Late Night Groping With David Letterman: Late Show host reveals affairs with staff, extortion attempt.

American Economy: Jobless report is worse than expected; rate rises to 9.8 percent.

Not Good: Philippines braces for new storm.

How They Do It In Texas: Five-year-old boy kills 800 pound alligator.

How They Do It In Nigeria: Former Anglican bishop arrested in prostitution sting.

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Drat! Smart Hookers: Lakewood considers law to outwit prostitutes.

No Cheer For Cheer: Study blames laundry for toxin in Puget Sound.

Signgate: Tacoma mayoral candidate Jim Merritt wants his signs back.

Yikes: Quake under water means tsunami.

Nevermind The 65 Percent That Support It: Senate rejects two public-option health care proposals.

And Then There’s This: Pressure builds for Obama Administration to make decision on committing more troops in Afghanistan.

OK, Yay: U.S. economy shrank 0.7 percent, less than anticipated.

This Is Something: Dwarves found “theme park” commune to escape bullying.

Just Because: A picture of Bernie Madoff being crushed by a farting bull.

Best Friends Are The Best