MONDAY, NOV. 10 2014 >>>

1. Portland band Marianna and the Baby Vamps are now the Bylines, but much of the band's doo-woppy, soul and swing sound remain. Marianna Thielen and Reece Marshburn perform swingy 1960s radio-pop tunes, adding a healthy dose of musical theater and vintage bubblegum to the mix. The group has perfected an all-access pop sound that samples generously from its past, but has trudged into the future filling a keen sonic niche all its own. The Bylines hold an album release party featuring Daven Tillinghast at 8 p.m. in Rhythm and Rye in downtown Olympia.

2. In observance of Veterans Day Nov. 11 - you know, that day we honor military vets for, oh, we don't know, risking their lives for the freedoms we have, protecting our country and things like that - Weekly Volcano would like to thank all those men and women who have served and are serving our country. So ... thank you! The folks at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are also grateful for your service. Celebrate Veterans Day with the animals at the zoo Nov. 10-11. The zoo is offering free admission to active-duty servicemembers and veterans (military identification and proof of service required).  Family members of servicemembers or veterans that attend the zoo will receive half off their admission rate.

3. Weather, When the, Sun Leggs and Gines perform an all-ages show at 6 p.m. in Le Voyeur.

4. Get out your dancing shoes and join in the whimsy of a country western shuffle dance, hosted by the Evergreen Country Dancers from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Olympia Elks Lodge. What is a shuffle, you say? It's the country western version of polka - the primary difference being that the style of shuffle is less hoppy than the polka. The basic step consists of a triple to the left followed by a triple to the right.  The shuffle is sometimes called double two-step or traveling swing, for it also uses components of two-step and the popular East Coast swing. This makes shuffle a very versatile dance, allowing a mix and match of patterns, which can result in some exciting variations - and there's nothing wrong with that.

5. Rod Cook is a well respected, in demand Seattle area guitarist known for his stylistic versatility and soulful, melodic playing. Best known for his work with folk/funk, Americana artist Laura Love in the 1990s and the early part of this decade, guitarist, vocalist Rod Cook began the guitar at the age of 9. Check him out and his band at 8 p.m. in The Swiss.

LINK: Monday, Nov. 10 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

A zombie apocalypse took over part of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, forcing hundreds to battle through hordes of zombies. Luckily, these zombies didn't have a taste for human flesh; they only wanted the blood red flags each runner wore around their waist.

Halloween excitement at JBLM reached the zenith with the inaugural JBLM Zombie Apocalypse 5k Run Nov. 1, bringing servicemembers and families together for this ghoulish and heart-pounding event hosted by the JBLM Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare & Recreation.

More than 200 people joined in the scary fun, and tried their luck surviving in the face of 100 volunteers dressed as zombies.

"Everyone's on a big hype of zombies, right now, with shows like Walking Dead, they're huge and it's great to take part of something that's so big right now in our generation," said Spc. Bruce C. Svendsen, a military policeman assigned to the 66th Military Police Company, 504th MP Battalion, 42nd MP Brigade.

>>> Photography by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke/19th Public Affairs Detachment

Lizza Lockett, an intramural coordinator with JBLM's DFMWR, broke down the unique aspects of the 5k run compared to others and how the zombie interaction was planned out. She pointed out how the run is not going to be like the movie World War Z, which had fast zombies, but rather it will be slow moving zombies trying to snag the runners flags.

"The goal is to complete the course with at least one flag left and you'll be entered in a special door prize to win a Dell laptop," said Lockett. "We have other door prizes, such as tickets to (LeMay - America's Car) museum, tickets for tattoos and gift certificates from AAFES."

>>> Photography by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke/19th Public Affairs Detachment

Many participants brought their children to compete in the run and dress up as zombies.

"It's awesome. We're trying to keep our kids active and it's fun to be a part of the first (zombie run) on the post," said Sgt. Patrick Moorer, who is in Bravo Company, 47th Combat Area Support Hospital, 62nd Medical Brigade, JBLM. "They really enjoyed it and had a great time."

The appeal of this type of event encouraged many people to put down their tablets or smartphones, and children to hold off on picking through Halloween candy until after the run.

"It's great to see everybody outside getting away from the TV and other technology; staying active and being fit," said Moorer. "So, it was a good time for the family."

Svendsen was excited about the role of playing as a zombie and really enjoyed the evening.

"It's a riot. I love it, and I have my own make-up on. I wanted to use it for something and this gave me a chance to do it," said Svendsen. "People are getting some exercise and we're getting the screams and scares."

>>> Photography by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke/19th Public Affairs Detachment

Everyone, young and old, survived the run but only a few kept at least one flag to compete for the grand prize and bragging rights. The JBLM Zombie Apocalypse 5K Run is set to be a yearly post-Halloween event. If this year's run was any indication, it will quickly become one of most the anticipated DFMWR events.

Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke is with the 19th Public Affairs Detachment.

SUNDAY, NOV. 2 2014 >>>

1. The Magic Flute is set in an unnamed fantasyland, but this production benefits from local stylistic influences. Tacoma Opera drew inspiration from the art and culture of Pacific Northwest Salish tribes, with valuable assistance from the Puyallup tribe in particular. The event's web page notes the indigenous culture's "impish sense of humor and ... immense respect for nature, all of which blend perfectly with the transcendent music." It'll be interesting to note how these tribal elements are woven into set and costume designs, as The Magic Flute's expansive, episodic structure demands a unifying aesthetic perspective. Read Christian Carvajal's full feature on The Magic Flute in the Music & Culture section, then enjoy the opera at 2 p.m. in the Rialto Theater.

2. Celebrating Day of the Dead in grand community style, the Tacoma Art Museum begins the month with a free community celebration today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Museum. Held in conjunction with Consulado de Mexico en Seattle, Centro Latino and Proyecto Molé, the festival celebrates Dia de los Muertos with traditional music and dance, art activities, sugar skull decoration and displays of art that include a traditional Tapete, or sand painting, and community altars honoring passed loved ones, as well as student artwork demonstrations. This family friendly event, the 10th in so many years, brings together cultural iconography with activities that bring to light how a grim subject can be celebrated - and enjoyed - by all ages, inviting conversation about loss, remembrance, and the rich fabric of diversity.

3. Seattle based brass band PugetBrass will perform pieces by Edward Gregson, as well as Ball, Downie and Richards at 2 p.m. in Building 2 at Tacoma Community College. Expect tuba soloist Andy Abel at this free concert.

4. Rich Wetzel's Groovin Higher Orchestra will drop in on Stonegate Pizza to perform a rockin' big band jazz dinner show from 5-8pm.

5. The Tacoma Comedy Club hosts another 5 for $5 Sunday night show featuring five of the best up and coming stand-up comedians, all performing for just $5. Scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. are emcee Monica Nevi, Cory Michaelis, Brett Hamil, Scott Losse and TBD. Oh man, the last time TBD played the Tacoma Comedy Club he unmercifully and hilariously shut down an extremely drunk, shoe-tossing heckler. The comic took the audience down unexpected roads as he wove intricate analogies about topics such as student loans and the realities of insomnia, which revealed more intelligence and insight than one might expect of a performer with a sports-bar demeanor and a gruff bark. In addition to TBD, TCC will also have Sunday Funday food and drink specials all night long.

LINK: Sunday, Nov. 2 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, OCT. 31 2014 >>>

1. The frights are upon us once again, and there are, as always, plenty of ways to spend the Devil's holiday. The Weekly Volcanois your source for South Sound parties, theater performances, haunted houses and live music - it's up to you to decide where you'll go, and, of course, what you'll wear. Click here for a list of adult Halloween parties. Click here for South Sound live music and parties. Click here to read about a scary haunted house in Tacoma.

2. The Magic Flute is set in an unnamed fantasyland, but this production benefits from local stylistic influences. Tacoma Opera drew inspiration from the art and culture of Pacific Northwest Salish tribes, with valuable assistance from the Puyallup tribe in particular. The event's web page notes the indigenous culture's "impish sense of humor and ... immense respect for nature, all of which blend perfectly with the transcendent music." It'll be interesting to note how these tribal elements are woven into set and costume designs, as The Magic Flute's expansive, episodic structure demands a unifying aesthetic perspective. Read Christian Carvajal's full feature on The Magic Flute in the Music & Culture section, then enjoy the opera at 7:30 p.m. in the Rialto Theater.

3. Tacoma Little Theatre's staging of the classic tale of crime and betrayal, Dial "M" for Murder, draws your eye chiefly to three things: a telephone positioned on a desk by a window, an apartment's front door looming in the background and a green handbag resting on a davenport. These three ingredients, coordinated in symphony, are the most powerful chess pieces in a play that is less a "whodunit," as the program notes, and more of an exploration of what happens after "it" has been done. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full review of Dial "M" for Murder in the Music & Culture section, then see the play at 7:30 p.m.

4. Most musicians first get their feet wet by aping their favorite bands for hours in front of their mirrors, so it makes perfect sense that bands would dress up as their favorite acts for Halloween. To wit, Night of the Living Tribute Bands features Olympia's musicians and artists forming one-off bands to pay tribute to some of the greatest acts in music history. While it may be a one night event, some of these thrown together tribute acts practice for months in advance. Read Christian Carvajal's full feature story on Night of the Living Tribute Bands in the Music & Culture section, then head to the Capitol Theater at 8 p.m.

5. Vampires, alien invasion, monsters and Frankenstein: these are the things of which Misfits songs are made. It's appropriate punkgrass band The Rusty Cleavers will perform seven Misfits songs as part of their distilled rootsy meets punchy punk set Halloween night. Also on the bill is Shotgun Kitchen, with stories about white-trash-living and country-road-dying. Remember sexy costumes are to Halloween what ketchup is to french fries. Speaking of french fries, there is nothing sexier than dressing up as an artery-clogging fast food item. Catch the bands at 9 p.m. at The Valley.

LINK: Friday, Oct. 31 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Little ghouls and goblins can welcome the witching hour Friday in a zillion ways, and not all of them require knocking on doors and begging for food. Here's one cool idea.

Chalie Hill - the man behind the scary decorations at The Spar in Old Town Tacoma and Laura Eklund - the woman behind many gorgeous party and concert set designs - have created a haunte house for kids at the Old Town Music Society building in Old Town Tacoma. Hill says it has a Blair Witch Project feel to it.

All the money raised will help to upgrade the (Music Society) ceiling for better acoustics," says Hill.

"Ohhhh it looks AMAZING!! TELL YOUR FRIENDS!! This is a total kid friendly spooky haunt! Treats for the kids ... If they make it through mua ha ha ha!" screams DJ Suga Jones, a longtime employee at The Spar.

It's a one night, kid-friendly scary affair.

THE OLD TOWN HAUNTING, 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Oct. 31, Old Town Music Society, 2101 N. 30^th St., Tacoma, $3 kids, $5 adults, Facebook

THURSDAY, OCT. 30 2014 >>>

1. During the American occupation of Japan at the end of World War II, more than 100,000 native Japanese women married American soldiers. Between 1946 and 1960, they came to the United States with their husbands and were settled at remote Army posts around the country, one of which, Fort Riley, in Kansas, is the setting for Velina Hasu Houston's born-in-anger play, TEA, opens at Tacoma theater company Dukesby Productions at 7:30 p.m. The story revolves around five Japanese women who are supposed to become a part of the great American melting pot. But when one of them shoots herself, the others are drawn to the traditional Japanese teapot.

2. New works by some old favorites in pen and pencil, metal and dirt can be seen for the last time as "Metal & Paint: New Work by Jeremiah Maddock, Kyle Dillehay and Quinn Honan" closes today at Moss + Mineral.

3. The Tacoma Runners will summon their inner ghoul for tonight's Night Before Halloween Run. That's right, the Runners will don costumes for their weekly 3-mile run, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at The New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma's Dome District. We're talking running zombies people!

4. A Pre-Halloween Extravaganza featuring The Oly Mountain Boys, The Pine Hearts and Br'er Rabbit hits the McLane Grange Hall in Olympia at 8 p.m. The all-ages show is $5, but only $3 if you bring a carved pumpkin. 

5. The Sixth Avenue Mexican restaurant turned dance club at night Masa hosts two Halloween parties: DJ Niros and a costume contest tonight at 10 p.m., and another costume contest and DJ Sessions upstairs and DJ Derdee downstairs Halloween night. Cash prizes for best costumes and drink specials are on the dockets.

LINK: Thursday, Oct. 30 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TUESDAY, OCT. 28 2014 >>>

1. The paintings of Mark Landis have been featured in at least 46 museums in 20 different states over the course of 30 years. So why isn't this shy, slender Mississippian a renowned artist in his own right? Chalk it up to his knack for crafting expert forgeries of everyone ranging from Valtat to Picasso, Seuss to Schulz, as chronicled in the fascinating documentary Art and Craft, screening at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. in The Grand Cinema. Co-directors Sam Cullman, Jennifer Grausman, and Mark Becker allow museum registrars crackle about getting duped (one insists Landis should be in jail). But mostly the film steeps us in Landis's existence. He paints. He watches TV. He measures time by how many years it's been since his mother passed. The film's a fascinating portrait of loneliness, of the mind, of talent undirected toward purpose.

2. Northern Pacific Coffee Company cold brewed Turkish coffee from Olympia Coffee Roasting Company and delivered gallons of it to Narrows Brewing Co.'s head brewer Joe Walts. Walts added the coffee and spices from Mad Hat Tea Co. to his cardamom stout recipe, brewed it slowly at low temperature to extract all of the brilliant notes of the coffee while reducing acidity for a balance between the coffee and malt in the beer. Walts then brought in a secret weapon to add a creamy finish. The easy drinking Coffee Cardamom Stout - 4.3 percent alcohol - will debut at 6 p.m. at a release party in Northern Pacific Coffee Company.

3. Pacific Lutheran University will host a free public screening of the multiple-award-winning documentary Sweet Dreams at 7 p.m. in the Anderson University Center Regency Room, followed by a Q&A session with its director, Academy Award-winner Lisa Fruchtman, with ice cream provided by Tacoma's female-owned Ice Cream Social. Sweet Dreams is the story of female survivors from both sides of Rwanda's 1994 genocide who defied devastation to form the country's first all-female drumming troupe - and later to open its first ice-cream shop, Inzozi Nziza (Sweet Dreams).

4. Radio and theater performer Harlan Zinck reads spooky stories for adults at 7 p.m. in the Lakewood Pierce County Library. Zinck, a frequent contributor to Lakewood Playhouse, has shared his talents with hundreds of listeners throughout the Puget Sound region in his popular "Story Time for Grownups" programs.

5. Cirque Zuma Zuma, a world music and dance show seen by millions on America's Got Talent, will bring spectacular African performers at 7:30 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall at University of Puget Sound. Created as an "African circus," the 15-member troupe combines the mysticism of Africa with the nonstop excitement of a theatrical cirque performance. Described as an "African-style Cirque du Soleil" because of the rigorous standards of the performers - trained in Kenya and Tanzania - and the dynamic quality of the show, it's suitable for all ages.

LINK: Tuesday, Oct. 28 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, OCT. 24, 2014 >>>

1. Pimp 'n' Ho parties just aren't cuttin' it anymore, are they? Neither are the toga parties, the erotic costume contests or naughty nurses. So much bare flesh, so much cold weather. If Halloween is really to turn into The Day of Getting As Close to Naked As Possible, it should be moved to July. This is not the point. The Weekly Volcano apologizes. The point is that, for you, today no longer holds the magic it once did. You yearn for Halloweens of yesteryear. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum at Point Defiance Park has you covered with its 20th version of Bonfires, Beaver Pelts and Bogeymen - a chance for revelers of all shapes and sizes to sit by a bonfire, sip cider, eat cookies and hear tales of ghostly pipers, haunted whaling ships and demon snakes told by the scariest folks of all - those who dress in clothing from the 1800s for fun. The wood will be lit at 7 p.m.

2. The Magic Flute is set in an unnamed fantasyland, but this production benefits from local stylistic influences. Tacoma Opera drew inspiration from the art and culture of Pacific Northwest Salish tribes, with valuable assistance from the Puyallup tribe in particular. The event's web page notes the indigenous culture's "impish sense of humor and ... immense respect for nature, all of which blend perfectly with the transcendent music." It'll be interesting to note how these tribal elements are woven into set and costume designs, as The Magic Flute's expansive, episodic structure demands a unifying aesthetic perspective. Read Christian Carvajal's full feature on The Magic Flute in the Music & Culture section, then catch the performance at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in the Rialto Theater.

3. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is Lakewood Playhouse's 7th Annual Live Radio Show and is also their spooky Halloween offering at 8 p.m. For two nights only, the theater will be transformed into a live radio show featuring actors reading many parts and the director (and many of the actors) performing all the sound effects. The show starts with "another twisted episode from the iconic radio show "Lights Out" and many more surprises" before beginning Robert Louis Stevenson's classic horror tale of a scientist and the monster that lurks just under the surface. Read Joann Varnell's review of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on our Walkie Talkie blog.

4. The Little O and his Lonely One Man Folk-Punk Band is a wonderfully self-referential project. As the one-man band in question, the Little O is a self-styled caricature of a rambling troubadour. Most of his songs are titled with variations on "The Little O Sings About (Blank)," essentially rendering him a kind of Sunday comics character, doing bluesy little folk ditties about his thoughts on zines, phone calls, postcards, and - most delightfully - what it's like to be a one-man band. Catch Little O with Forest Beutel, Micaela Cooley and Emelie Peine at 8 p.m. in the Northern Pacific Coffee Company.

5. Sounding like a cross between Captain Beefheart's elegant experimentalism and the Shaggs' aggressive non-conformity, Philadelphia's Hermit Thrushes possess the sort of innate musicality that might make you believe that they're just making shit up as they go along, even when it's been carefully laid out. Every halting screech and skronk and sideswiping instrumental intrusion is in its right place. Take it all in with REDS, Humidity and Static at 8 p.m. in Half Pint Pizza Pub.

LINK: Friday, Oct. 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

I remember when I first actually understood the chicken crossing the road joke. It was maybe a year ago when I realized that that most seemingly innocuous, almost anti-humor joke was actually incredibly profound. Yes, the joke that most people learn just after they've gained the ability to speak, has been secretly about death this entire time. The chicken never intended to reach of other side of the road; being a smart, suicidal chicken, he knew the odds were good that a car would come along and he'd finally get to "the other side."

You're welcome for ruining your childhood.

Last Friday, at 25 years old, I found myself standing in a muddy parking lot outside of a downtown Tacoma warehouse and asking myself, "Why did the chicken go to the haunted house?" I assure you, it's not because I secretly do enjoy the thrill of being scared. As a self-identified wuss, I have no problem admitting to you that not only have I not seen The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but that even seeing the trailer literally gave me nightmares. Showering in an empty house gives me enough creeps to last me the whole year, thank you very much. I do not like being scared.

And yet, I had agreed to put myself through the ringer and go to Hell's Gateway, a haunted house in its third year of existence. Accompanied by my friend (who warned me that she might accidentally punch one of the ghouls at Hell's Gateway, more out of reflex than anything else), we had come to this haunted house for the explicit purpose of torturing myself for the sake of this damn paper.

I've never been to a proper haunted house, let alone the monstrous attractions that haunted houses have slowly evolved into, as independent effects wizards got into the game. Hell's Gateway has three experiences you can be a part of: the standard haunted house, Dark Nightmare (which thrusts you into pitch blackness with only a glow stick to lead your way) and Real Fear (their most extreme option, complete with a safe word and instructions to wear clothes you wouldn't mind throwing away).

I'd like to preface my experience that of course I wanted to get in the extreme, blood-splattered, hogtied, safe-word-required extreme version for the sake of this story. Of course I did. I would've hated it, but I did try and experience Real Fear. Unfortunately, those require reservations, and I just couldn't get in in time. What I did do was the pitch black Dark Nightmare. Along with this tour of horrors, you are given the option of purchasing one of two special glow sticks: one that will let the haunted house actors know to leave you alone, and one that will tell them to get in your face. I went with the latter.

What Dark Nightmare turns out to be is a timed race through the warehouse, wherein you must find clues and check them off on your card, which occupies your only hand not holding a glow stick, leaving you incapable of swatting away demons and maniacs with chainsaws. Because I let the actors know that fucking with me was on the menu, I was immediately and frequently bombarded with terrifying people blocking my path and even throwing my glow stick away, leaving me to depend on my friend who couldn't help but laugh at my misfortune.

Throughout the byzantine halls of the evocatively disheveled warehouse, I found myself murmuring completely nerdy pleas to the effect of, "Please, sir, pardon me. Sorry, excuse me. You are very scary." Even besides the edict that a customer is not allowed to touch an actor, I think I fairly well represented how I might realistically react to an oncoming horror movie monster.

Once outside in the blessedly open spaces of the parking lot, I was able to regain my composure and reflect on my experience. Was it fun? To my chicken brain, it resembled something in the order getting caught as a minor in possession and escaping the cops: exhilarating, glad to be in the clear, but not eager to revisit the experience. If I had gotten in for Real Fear, I suspect I might be writing this from the cardiac ward of Tacoma General.

For anyone who's been to Hell's Gateway and thinks I'm being a baby, you're right. Congrats. Now let me celebrate Halloween the only way I know how: watching that episode of Boy Meets World where they parody Scream.

HELL'S GATEWAY, starting times at hellsgateway.com, through Nov. 1, 2302 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, $15-$50, 206.743.5620

Mother Nature was onto something in the South Puget Sound last Saturday.

The day started with boisterous thunder claps and gusty winds, followed by an area tornado warning (yes, really). Said tornado did appear in the form of a water spout off of Anderson Island to stunned locals. The finale? The clouds parted giving way to bright sunshine, glorious blue skies and mild temperatures. OK, it wasn't the finale. The finale came as small earthquake hit eight miles northwest of Olympia close to midnight.

Why the wild weather?

Mother Nature knew that the all-female, nonprofit roller derby team from the local military community, the JBLM Bettie Brigade, was about to converge for a raucous birthday bash and season kick-off party like no other at the Cheers Bar and Grill. "Given" names were tossed out the window in favor of beloved derby names only and the holiday Halloween theme was out in full force.

Of course, just like the unpredictable and wild weather, the Betties had a little wild weather of their own.

The first thunder bolt struck this very party. Through no fault of their own, the original venue for the party, abruptly bumped them from their longtime reservation, mere days prior. Ah, but those resilient Betties don't let THAT stop them. Toxic and Dis-Orient-Her, Bettie event planners, took the party elsewhere without a hitch.

And what a job they did! Creepy crawlers, skeletons, jack-o-lanterns and cobwebs covered the venue delightfully.

And then there was this totally rad, custom-designed celebratory cake, total derby style!

The music was pumping, the karaoke DJ was spinning, the drinks and grub were flowing and the costumes were nothing short of off the hook! Look at these!

Melicious Beast and hubby looking totally rad and hauntingly beautiful.

A modern take on the Big Bad Wolf in the form of Ill Will, Bettie coach!

Of course every big bad wolf needs a lil' red riding hood (in the form of Sgt. Severe).

It's peanut butter jelly time!

Bomb Diggityand hubby are natural-born cereal killers.

Lady Die, Princess of Wails, an unworldly, robotic mechanic!

Some serious derby voodoo doll magic!

As darkness sets in and the wind kicks up, the Betties are just getting started. Excitement for the new season and Bettie love was strong. When they say they are like family and they remain positive and resilient in the face of a challenge, BELIEVE them.

Lady Die, Princess of Wails, was chomping at the bit to join a roller derby team for five years. She found the Betties and has been skating for them since June; in her words, she couldn't have asked for any better. Her young daughter has also caught derby fever and has joined the junior league, the JBLM Bratz family. The love and support is contagious.

"This is the first sport that she's lasted more than a week," smiles Lady Die." It's given her more confidence, helped her build her strength and has been amazing for her."

For the Betties, the experiences seemed to center around "amazing" overall. And while the team faces some unique challenges, the season looks bright.

"Military teams are always a different team each season," explains Bomb Diggity. "There's a lot of people that have to move. This season, not many are moving away and we have some great new girls."

While the Betties totally get the challenges of functioning as a military community team and coping with moves, there's another challenge ahead of them that they meeting full steam ahead. The team's home rink, the Bettie Bunker facility in Lacey, is not going to be around for much longer. The team is going to need to move their practices and home bouts to a new facility. Returning to post isn't an option right now as that skating facility is under renovations.

The team is looking to find a new facility to rent.

Currently though, they are working out of a Tacoma rink; the digs are temporary and they are not ideal.

Yet, JBLM Bettie Brigade president, Annie Mae-Hem, while embracing the challenges, sees the positive side. They all do.

Mae-Hem doesn't mince words.

"It's a season of change. We know the changes of locations aren't easy for our athletes and our fans. The good news, with renting a rink, is that the newbies can have access to skates and our "borrow box"so they can try it out. It can be a big commitment to make equipment changes and purchases. This way, they can try it out and see if they like it first.

We are looking at spaces and options. We aren't married to any ideas."

And with that, Mae-Hem steps up on chair - dressed as actor Tom Cruise's character in the spirited and infamous celebratory underwear dance scene in the movie, Risky Business - and does an energetic toast to the Betties. The spirit in the room is electric.

Mae-Hem raises a toast to the Bettie family!

To really take the spirit further, Ms. Mae-Hem mightily took the mike in song and dance and whipped the Bettie family into an absolute frenzy.

Annie Mae-Hem channeling local music legend, Sir Mix-A-Lot, flawlessly. And instead of the donning the Risky Business tightie whities, Mae-Hem has Bettie-inspired skivvies. Perfection.

Here is one more photo to round out the night.

If you are interested in more about the Betties or lending a hand with a new space, visit and contact them at their site, bettiebrigade.com or visit them on their Facebook page.