Kassie Mitchell is the yarn bomber of Sixth Avenue in Tacoma.

But you probably knew that, right?

OK, so the delightfully mysterious "yarn bomber" isn't probably such a mystery anymore. For those not in the know (yet), the yarn bomber is responsible for crafting the colorful and whimsical crocheted "bike-rack sweaters" that have punctuated the business district since mid-August. Topped with funky and fresh embellishments like crocheted hot dogs and other nibbles, the bike-rack sweaters have captured the delight of many Tacomans. Mitchell's Facebook page has legions of fans, including the 6th Avenue Business District, which adores her work.

Naturally, one would suspect that the yarn bomber would be a rather unconventional sort of gal. You're right. But what is more interesting is how unconventional I became during a visit with the bomber over brews at The Red Hot. All of my journalistic conventions went flying out the window like a tossed ball of yarn.

It was good thing.

We started out talking about beer. Beer is a good thing, too.

Read more...

Olympia Memes is more than a Facebook page. It's fast becoming part of Olympia's philanthropic fabric with one foot still firmly planted in the page's quirky sense of fun.

Case and point: the Meme Yourself Costume Party. Olympia memes asks its followers to dress as their favorite meme and come prepared to win prizes - if their costume rocks hard enough. Prizes include a wine-tasting party, dance classes, a snowboard and various gift certificates.

"I am hoping to see some girls rock the ERMAHGERD get up, maybe a Grumpy Cat rendition or two, Scumbag Steves, Bad Luck Brian's ... and then there's always the wide selection of Rage characters," says Olympia Memes' publisher. "If anyone is stuck they can always do a search online for meme costume parties or go to meme generators like quickmeme.com to look around for inspiration."

The party will raise funds - $5 cover charge and a raffle - with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting SafePlace Olympia.  

"It's a sad fact that we need a place like SafePlace, but I know that because of this one organization, lives have been saved," says Olympia Memes' publisher. "Almost every conversation I have ever had where SP was mentioned, almost everyone has known at least one person that has had to use their services. They have had a huge positive influence on our community."

The Meme Yourself Costume Party will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18 at Big Whisky Saloon in downtown Olympia. The event is 21+ only. The Big Whisky will spin tunes, with line dance lessons at 8:30 p.m. and the mechanical bull will be plugged in.

If you're lucky, Olympia Memes' mysterious publisher might show up out of disguise.

BIG WHISKY SALOON, THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 8 P.M., $5, 425 FRANKLIN ST. SE, OLYMPIA, 360.357.4721

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Let's Start Off With The Weather: High winds tonight! (Seattle Times)

Tacoma Cash Mob: The first one invaded Teaching Toys and Books yesterday. (Weekly Volcano)

City Of Olympia: You'll be able to Like It. (News Tribune)

Carrie Brownstein: She's going to write a book about her life in music, which centers around Olympia, Wash. (Rolling Stone)

Let's Hate Hackers: A data breach at a payments processing firm has potentially compromised up to 1.5 million credit and debit card numbers from all of the major card brands. (CNN)

Fatal Encounter Between Trayvon Martin And George Zimmerman: It has polarized the nation, shining an unforgiving light on issues such as race relations and gun control. (The New York Times)

Bin Ladens Bunch: Osama Bin Laden's three widows and two eldest daughters are charged and sentenced for living illegally in Pakistan, their lawyer confirms. (BBC)

Touring Bands' Vans: Let's take a look at them. (Paste Magazine)

Adam Sandler: He swept the Razzies. (Yahoo)

Dude Should Just Shut Up: Keith Olbermann to blabber on David Letterman's show. (The Hollywood Reporter)

We Didn't See This Coming: Tim Burton's Mars Attacks! is coming to Broadway. (Flavorwire)

MOB RULES >>>

Teaching Toys and Books is about to get getting mobbed.

The Tacoma Cash Mob announced on social media that it would gather at 2 p.m. today outside Mason Methodist Church on the corner of North 27th and Madison, then announced what store it would attack, en masse.

The mob chose Teaching Toys and Books in Tacoma's Proctor District.

Melissa Tennille, co-owner of the victimized store, couldn't be happier.

"I think that the social aspect of the fun camaraderie and sense of adventure will bring folks together way that transcends a regular shopping excursion at our store," says Tennille.

Since originating in Cleveland last November, cash mobs have popped up all over the place. More than 100 networks have been set up in U.S. cities - the Teaching Toys version will be Tacoma's first - and others have shown up in areas as far-flung as Scandinavia and South Korea.

The idea is simple enough - a twist on the concept of "flash mob" with one important distinction: This mob intention isn't disruption, destruction and leaving the participants soulless, clutching sad clown masks behind the rhododendron bush. Instead, organizers select a local, small business and urge people via Twitter or Facebook to spend $20 there at a certain time.  In the end, the community-conscious shopping generates more business for the local economy and in the case of Teaching Toys and Books, provides an opportunity to sell a bunch of Wheely Bugs.

Bart and Veronica made the first Tacoma Cash Mob purchase at Teaching Toys and Books, spending $65.54.

Tennille and crew were ready to reward their new social angels.       

"Over the last week, I have gone around to each business in the Proctor District and asked them to help us fill goodie bags for the cash mob participants.  Our store is giving a $10 gift certificate to anyone who spends $10 or more.  We have also put little toys in the bags.  Other merchants have filled the bags with coupons, gift certificates, key chains, cupcakes, jewelry, candy, free karate classes and more," she says.

Look what Christy Reedy scored!

King sweet pea!

Teaching Toys is also raffling off free math classes, dinner at neighboring La Fondita Mexican restaurant and a life-sized stuffed bear. 

Patricia Lecy-Davis and grandson, Skylar, joined the Tacoma Cash Mob.

"Hopefully the fun owl hats that we will pass out at the event that say, 'Look whooooo's great!' will be as big a hit as I imagine," she adds. 

There are no specific rules in founding a mob, Fleming points out. Though the national cashmobs.wordpress.com site offers suggested rules and advice, organizers don't go through any headquarters, or certifying organization. The process is almost as simple as the concept itself.

Teaching Toys and Books owners Melissa Tennille, left, and Valla Wagner.

LINK: Tacoma Cash Mob Facebook

LINK: Tacoma Cash Mob Twitter

PERSON, PLACE OR THING WITH STEPH DEROSA >>>

Thing: Sweet Tiers Cakes

Made by: Shannon Smith

With: Love

Because: You can't pay her

This is all: A passion

She simply: Loves to make cakes

Yielding results of: Amazing cakes

Yes, they are: Amazing cakes

One more time: AMAZING CAKES

We've all thought it. I know I have. You love a certain craft or hobby and think to yourself, "I should do this as a business!" Your friends ooh and ahh at your hamburger/cupcake/auto-repair awesomeness all the while slowly convincing you it should be done for money.

"You could be rich!  Be your own boss!  Do what you love!"

Friends chant this from a distance, promising they'll be your loyal customers.

Eventually, with courage in hand, you begin your hamburger/cupcake/auto-repair business only to invest your entire savings into a venture that strips you of all the passion you once had for hamburgers/cupcakes/auto repair.

Shannon Smith, amazing cake-maker extraordinaire, knows better than to take money for her cakes. There'll be no business venture for her. She believes in keeping the passion alive.

Only working through favors and a quasi-bartering system, Smith will take cake orders in exchange for things she needs.

To get in on the cake action, read Steph DeRosa's full feature on Sweet Tiers Cakes in the Restaurant section at weeklyvolcano.com.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Snow: Yes, get your ass ready for school. (News Tribune)

Tacoma Gangs: They are targeting middle schoolers. (KPLU)

Bremerton School Shooting: Warrant out for the dumbass mother. (News Tribune)

Washington State's Minimum-Bail Bill: House Bill 2668 died. (The Olympian)

Iran Nuclear Talks: United States and five other countries want to hug it out. (CNN)

Super Tuesday: Nearly 20 percent of the delegates to the Republican convention will be chosen tonight. (The New York Times)

Hack This: Three members of the infamous hacking group Lulzsec are arrested, and charges against other suspects are expected to follow. (BCC)

Happiest Cities in the U.S.: Did the South Sound make the list? (The Daily Beast)

Facebook Vs. Bands: Out of tune. (Hypebot)

Cat Curfew: Japan's popular cat cafes are getting slapped with a curfew. (Time)

Was It Over When The Germans Bombed Pearl Harbor?: Animal House musical is planned. (The New York Times)

French Prankster Remi Gaillard: He lives in an elevator now. (Laughing Squid)

And then there's this ...

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Snow: Yup, the threat lingers. (Seattle Times)

Tacoma's Finances Outside Review: Not good. Like $31 million general fund shortfall not good. (News Tribune)

Pierce County Council: Leadership vote went Republican electing Joyce McDonald of Puyallup as its new chairwoman. (News Tribune)

Republican Race: Romney won a convincing victory, but none of the contenders plans to drop out before South Carolina's Jan. 21 primary. (CNN)

Hostess: Unlike its Twinkies, it doesn't look like it will last forever. (The Wall Street Journal)

Goodfellas On TV?: AMC thinks so. (Deadline)

Wish You A Very Logical Day: Crochet Spock ear. (Craftzine)

John Lennon: He was crazy about cats. (Mental floss)

Warm Fuzzy of the Day: Woman manages agoraphobia by meeting her 325 Facebook friends. (Jezebel)

WTF?

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

While You're Eating Your Lunchables: Tacoma School District teachers will vote on a tentative agreement. (News Tribune)

Get Back Here!: Gov. Gregoire is calling lawmakers back to Oly to fix the $1.3 billion budget shortfall. (News Tribune)

Changing The World: Top 10 heroes of 2011. (CNN)

Facebook Changes: Booo!!! (CNN)

Roger Ebert: A critic reflects on "life itself." (NPR)

Top Chef: Cast and guest stars revealed (Hint: I know you are but what am I). (Huffington Post)

Dream Come True: William Shatner talks Star Trek vs. Star Wars. (Furious Fanboys)

Remember TheTick?: Quickest canceled TV shows. (UGO)

Honoring Tom Selleck's mustache

FRIDAY, SEPT. 16, 2011 >>>

1. It is not too early to be planning your St. Patrick's Day celebration - March 17 is than six months away. To help you get in the mood - and sell a pot full of Jameson whiskey - Doyle's Public House will host its annual Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Party tonight and tomorrow.  Besides $3 dollar appetizers from 3-6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. both days, the Stadium District watering hole hosts Floater frontman Robert Wynia for an acoustioc with drums show at 9 p.m. Wynia is touring in support of his solo release, Iron By Water. Blvd Park hits the stages tomorrow at 9 p.m. Both shows are free.

2. At 4:30 p.m. at Kittredge Gallery, University of Puget Sound Associate Professor Janet Marcavage will discuss her prints in conjunction with the exhibition, "Show and Tell: Art Department Faculty 2011," currently on view at the gallery.

3. These six little spelling champs are kids we've seen before - lonely outsiders and bratty overachievers, adolescents whose parents neglect them or push them too hard to succeed. The characters come close to stereotype without ever quite falling into it. As a result, we can laugh at them and empathize simultaneously. We, of course, are referring to Tacoma Little Theatre's 7:30 p.m. production of The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which theater critic Joe Izenman reviewed here.

4. Tonight, the owners of Big Whisky Saloon in Tacoma are opening a second location in the former Vault Nightclub space in downtown Olympia. The new Big Whisky will feature all the hits of original Big Whisky, complete with more than 50 whiskeys from around the world. "I think people will be shocked and impressed with the feel," says part owner Todd Ruzicka. Nothing like a little shock and awe to get the ball rolling on a new club.

5. For those of us who retain cognitive memories of the ‘80s, Tempest Lounge brings down the house every third Friday at 9:30 p.m. with "Beat Boxxx" straight outta that decade. You can throw your hands in the air, and wave ‘em like you just don't care. DJs dAb, Suga Jones and rotating guests man the decks and cover all the bases - funk, pop, old school, club classics - throwing in the occasional '80s track you probably haven't heard in decades, depending on which decade you were born in.

PLUS: More events in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: New movies open!

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Gas War: There's a high-stakes court between oil giant BP and a longtime Tacoma franchise owner going down and it could affect you. (News Tribune)

One Step Closer: Tacoma's Planning Commission is sending its recommendation for an overhaul of Tacoma shoreline rules to the Tacoma City Council. (News Tribune)

Stock Plunge: Turmoil returned to the U.S. stock market today. (CNN)

Tale Of Two Economies: In a national economy that is barely growing, Seattle may help the U.S. avoid another round of recession. Even here, though, the areas of opportunity are pretty limited. (Crosscut)

All Is Not Jolly In England: Two 20-somethings were sentenced to four years in prison for trying to organize riots through two Facebook events. (Guardian)

"The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie": Red Hot Chili Peppers go all "Where The Streets Have No Name" on their new video. (NME)

"I Love Furry Hot Water Bottles": Stevie Nicks lists "25 Things You Don't Know About Me." (US Magazine)

Yes, I'd Like A Skinny Bethuccino: How about a cup o' joe from a KISS-themed coffeehouse? (huffingtonpost)

LINK: Stuff At Night