WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011 >>>

1. Six films compose the Diversity Film Festival at The Grand Cinema (April 6-18), each one a meditation on the theme of cultural diversity. Catch up on the story here. Reel Injun - A documentary tracing how the images of Native American people in cinema have influenced the understanding and misunderstanding of their culture and history - opens the DFF today with a 1:55 p.m. screening. At 8 p.m., Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna - a film exploring the largely forgotten exploits of the African American infantrymen known as Buffalo Soldiers - screens at The Grand.

2. Back in November the Swan Creek Master Plan development contract was awarded to MIG. Since then, three possible concepts for the 250-acre greenspace have been drawn up that include a salmon-bearing stream, wooded canyon, upland forest, trails and community garden. Want to check out the plans? Drop by the Salishan Family Investment Center (1728 E. 44th St., Tacoma ) between 4-6 p.m. and share your vision concerning the park.

3. Burc McFarlan of Fish Brewing in Olympia will drop in on 99 Bottles in Federal Way from 4-7 p.m. with crates and crates full of Swordfish Double Cascadian Dark Ale among other Fish brews for a dollar a person tasting.

4. A.Madman follows in the same lineage of sample-heavy electronica as groups like the Avalanches - groups that value texture and ambience in equal proportion to hooks and dancey grooves. Check them out with Broken Figures, Ghost Feet and Bizzart at 8 p.m. inside the all-ages venue Northern in downtown Olympia.

5. As part of Wildstyle Wednesdays at the Gruv Lounge, live hip-hop from XP and Rockwell Powers will complement the funky beats from DJs Reign and Slim Rock, beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Half-priced bottles of wine tonight

WAITING ON WORD ABOUT THE SIXTH AVE MARKET >>>

As we've reported before on SPEW, the Tacoma Food Co-op is currently trying to purchase retail space for a long-sought-after physical location - specifically, the 6th Avenue Market in Tacoma near the Red Hot and O'Reilly's Auto Parts. In February, the Tacoma Food Co-op made a goal of reaching over 400 members (it had just over 300 to start with) - a drive designed to raise $10,000 in earnest money to help acquire the 6th Avenue Market location.

Today, the Tacoma Food Co-op updated members and supporters on the progress in an official press release. In a demonstration of the support the co-op has within the community, the goal of surpassing 400 members was met easily in just three weeks.

However, while the necessary $10,000 earnest money was secured by the Tacoma Food Co-op, John Loesch, current owner of the 6th Avenue Market, is reportedly still mulling his options.

An official Tacoma Food Co-op press release below:

Read more...

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Joan Sample, in regard to Paul Schrag's recent feature on the Focus on the Nation event at the University of Puget Sound.

Sample writes,

One proud mama says "How exciting is this?!! Keep up the great great work, Millennials!"

TODAY IN ONLINE TALK >>>

Today's comment comes from Tornado in regard to today's Spew update on the Tacoma Food Co-op.

Tornado writes,

Thanks for the update on the Food Co-op. I hope Tacoma steps up and supports this effort -- we need more places to buy local, healthy food. And the 6th Ave. location would be great.

STRIVING TOWARD THE GOAL >>>

As most who follow such things (definitely still a minority, sadly) know, the Tacoma Food Co-op (the organization) has been seriously discussing the idea of purchasing retail space on Sixth Avenue near The Red Hot - more specifically, the 6th Avenue Market. This would provide a physical spot for the Tacoma Food Co-op to exist, which after countless hours spent by co-op volunteers and organizers is the next step in the process.

However, the plan is no slam dunk - and, as is life, will probably come down to dollars and cents. The Tacoma Food Co-op sent out this email today to keep members and supporters in the loop on where the process is at:

Tacoma Food Co-Op Begins Raising Funds for Purchase of 6th Ave Market Location

Store purchase and membership drive focus of upcoming Coffee Talks

After several months of researching and discussing various locations and finance options for the future Tacoma Food Co-op retail store, the TFC board of directors has formally chosen to pursue the Neighborhood Market location on 6th Avenue and has launched a membership and fundraising effort to purchase the store.

"We've spent a lot of time making sure this location is the best option for our members and our community," says Corrinne Henderson, Board President. "This is a popular location with a seller who is offering us an incredible deal. Now it's up to our members to help us raise the funds."

TFC is currently in the development and planning stages of opening a cooperatively-run store providing local, fresh, natural and organic foods and goods. In the past couple of months the Tacoma Food Co-op Board of Directors has been focused almost exclusively on researching the financial and retail options associated with the Neighborhood Market location. John Loesch, current owner of Neighborhood Market, has indicated two other interested buyers and though he prefers to see the co-op move into the store, plans to accept an offer from one of the three parties at the end of February. Henderson says this makes the TFC's fundraising efforts all the more urgent.

"We've set some pretty ambitious goals for the month of February in orders to ensure Neighborhood Market remains a viable option for us," she says.

Loesh has indicated a willingness to accept $10,000 in earnest money along with a contingency offer that would allow TFC to secure the location while it raises the rest of the funds.

TFC currently has just over 300 members, and as part of its fundraising efforts, has made a February goal of reaching 400 members. Board members are hosting several informational and orientation meetings throughout February and encourages anyone interested in joining or learning more to attend.

For more information about the meetings, please email

casandra@tacomafoodcoop.com.

• Thursday Feb, 10: 5-6pm at Shakabrah Java (2618 6th Ave).  Please arrive at 4:30 if you'd like to order food.
• Saturday Feb, 12: 1130am-1230pm at Tully's Coffee (24 N Tacoma Ave) in the upstairs loft
• Tuesday Feb, 15: 8-9pm Webinar*
• Saturday Feb, 19: 12-1pm: Bella Latte (6450 Tacoma Mall Blvd)
• Thursday Feb, 24: 7-8pm Webinar*
• Monday Feb, 28: 6-7pm Greener Bean (1039 Regents Blvd)

*= For webinar link please see our website, www.tacomafoodcoop.com

FRIDAY, FEB. 4, 2011 >>>

1. From 4:30-8 p.m. Amocat Café will be overrun with brain-slurping zombie goodness and there is nothing any of us can do to stop it. Read the full story here.

2. Beginning at 10 a.m., in proceedings sure to feature much pomp and circumstance, the WIAA Girls State Bowling Championships will go down in our very backyard. Some of the best young female rollers from around Washington will converge on the 10-pin Mecca that is University Place and Narrows Plaza Bowl to test the limits of athleticism and endurance as part of a two-day, no-balls-barred throwdown where only the cream of the bowling crop will emerge victorious. Even more impressive, some competitors will do this while eating CornNuts.

3. In Tacoma, there is a growing movement to use permaculture design to create abundant, thriving systems to that provide for people while supporting ecological function. Grab a primer on the movement at King's Books when they screen the film Permaculture: The Growing Edge at 7 p.m. Expect to pay $5-$8 for your new knowledge.

4. Harlequin Productions is chicking up its stage production of The Last Schwartz tonight. It's Ladies Night Out featuring free champagne and chocolate from 7-7:30 p.m. before the 8 p.m. show. Groups of six or more chicks will receive 20 percent off.

5. The excitedly named "TacSea! TacSea!: A Celebration of Music, Art and Life" event at Varsity Grill in Tacoma has a lot of promise to it. Not only does the inclusion of exclamation marks usually indicate good times, but musical guests like Brooklyn Pool and Xylophones only add to the urgency. Pre-show hype promises "an eclectic dance party and art showcase like no other." See if that's a good thing beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: New movies open today

DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' >>>

Last night Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland gave Tacoma's first ever "State of the City" address. The speech culminated what seemed to be an overwhelmingly successful Shift Happens event at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, organized by the good folks at Go Local (see this week's cover story for the full scoop on Shift Happens).

Mayor Strickland stressed the specific importance of Shift Happens and Go Local, but appropriately used most of the address to highlight the city's recent efforts and future plans to continue to improve the quality of life and economy in Tacoma.

Like a typical State of the Union, successes were magnified and shortcomings downplayed. Mayor Strickland sang the praises of Tacoma Metro Parks, calling it one of the best park systems in the nation, and even ventured to call the Tacoma Police Department's work with local neighborhoods "progressive."

The highlight of the address came when the Mayor did what she does best: share her hopes and goals for a more sustainable, progressive Tacoma. Strickland has pushed programs and created exploratory committees designed to heighten Tacoma's commitment to education, local business and the arts. Every time I hear Strickland speak on her vision for Tacoma - whether in a written speech given from podium or casually in conversation - I'm left inspired.

The pride Strickland takes in Tacoma's present and future was evident as she shared national awards and recognition the city and local businesses received in 2010. Likewise, her excitement was genuine when she spoke of plans to continue to develop downtown and make Tacoma an "attraction" to conventions and tourists.

The only pause-worthy portion of the address came when Strickland lauded accomplishments that are basic requirements of all city governments, such as maintaining city streets. It could very well be that 194 streets repaired is an impressive feat, but without the same statistics for previous years or percentage improvements, I wasn't prepared to applaud random numbers, making me a minority for this (albeit very brief) portion of the speech.

The large crowd (nearly every seat was taken) reacted enthusiastically to both policy changes and efforts to improve the aesthetic of local neighborhoods. The largest cheers were reserved for the mention of the recent business-friendly adjustments to the B&O tax, but were almost matched when Strickland shared her goal of having the most community gardens per capita of any city in America.

If only for one night, in the confines of the convention center, Tacoma truly did seem like a city on the cusp of transforming itself.

Before Mayor Strickland spoke I visited the many dozens of booths set up by local businesses. I imagined a Tacoma where instead of Best Buy, Stadium Video was everyone's first stop for the latest DVD release. I pictured a Tacoma where instead of Starbucks, more of us stopped at Satellite Coffee on our way to work. I even pictured a Tacoma where instead of Wells Fargo and Merrill Lynch, more of us relied on local financial planners and banks (at one booth I was given intriguing 401(k) advice, even after telling the charismatic investor that student loans pay my bills).

I don't know if that Tacoma is actually the Tacoma of the future, but for two hours Go Local and Mayor Strickland had me convinced.

Here's hoping.

MONDAY, JAN. 31, 2011 >>>

1. The Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center will be home to an event aiming to help businesses, individuals and communities discover ways to aid sustainably and promote healthy business practices from noon to 8 p.m. The day-long, three-part event is intended to help community members step past the standard "buy local," "go green" mindset. Because if a flourishing community and healthy environment is the end goal, there's a lot more to be done than just buying and going. Read the full story here.

2. Marked: Susan Dory, Michelle Grabner, and Margie Livingston show their abstract paintings in Kittredge Gallery's large space from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Marked highlights painting's potential to simultaneously operate as a material thing and communication mode.

3. Billy Stoops and Jim King stop by Harmon Brewery's Blues Night at 7 p.m.

4. The S.R.O. swing band performs music from the '30s and '40s from 7-9 p.m. inside the Imperial Dragon Restaurant on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

5. Surreal Ultra Lounge's electro Euro Night gets trashy beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 2011 >>>

1. Everybody loves their dog/cat/ferret/turtle/what-have-you, probably in the embarrassing extreme. And handing over their pet to a veterinary doctor can be an unsettling task. Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital would like to ease your mind. They're hosting an open house from 5-7 p.m. Drop by and discuss the local tick population. They will not laugh at silly questions such as "What's that scab on my dog's belly?" when it's the mutt's bellybutton. Oh, and the adorable creatures and landscape of Alexis St. John will be on display. Have no fear. Met Vet will not pimp expensive gourmet pet foods or doggy conditioner either.

2. In the face of so much going awry on the planet - ice caps are melting, irreversible climate change is looming, and Ricky Gervaisageddon - bonding with your neighborhood in a community garden can be a rewarding experience. To achieve such a bliss, may we suggest attending the Tacoma Community Garden Kickoff from 6-9 p.m. at the Evergreen Tacoma campus, 1210 Sixth Ave. You will learn more about local community garden efforts, as well as give input on the vision and management for new garden locations.

3. The bitchin' cool Puget Sound Book Artists group will gather at 7 p.m. inside Room 020 in the basement of the Collins Memorial Library to hear Chandler O'Leary discuss her book, Local Conditions. 

4. You know what we don't have enough of in the Puget Sound? Eating contests. Sure, we've had hot dog eating contests at The Red Hot, and the Weekly Volcano staff once had a spicy tuna roll challenge at Fujiya back in 2004, but eating contests are a unique modern sport that we should have more of around here. Thankfully, Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza has invented 20-minute pepperoni Pizza Eating Competitions at all its locations. Tonight at 8 p.m. folks will gather at the www.farrellispizza.com/" target="_blank">Tacoma store to watch freaks down 12-inch pizzas one by one.

5. Bloodhunger, King Of France, Ether, and The Body Rampant will rock Hell's Kitchen beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Feedbag!

OH CHRISTMAS WEED>>>

Last week a man in Germany was arrested after police found him in possesion of a 6-foot-tall marijuana plant in a Christmas tree stand and strung with lights. According to the AFP, "When asked, the hashish fan told the perplexed officers that he had intended to add more decorations to the 'tree' and place the presents under it, according to tradition."