LAKEWOOD CLUB TO REOPEN FRIDAY >>>

The former McDonald's restaurant at the edge of the Lakewood neighborhood of Oakbrook that morphed into several nightclubs the past 15 years will reopen Friday as the third version of the Fan Club Sports Bar. Original Fan Club owners Don and Lisa Daniels (they sold it to the last Fan Club owners) are giving it a go again at the same spot. The Daniels will kick off their new old life with one of their favorite local rock cover bands, Igneous Rocks, which will perform this Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. with no cover.

[Fan Club, 8315 83rd Ave. SW, Lakewood, 253.584.1290]

OH HAPPY DAYS >>>

The South Sound Blues Association has secured Thursday night at the Happy Days Casino in Lakewood. Every Thursday night, beginning at 7 p.m., local blues musicians will do their best to drag folks away form the card tables to dance. They will perform every Thursday until 10:30 p.m.

The shows are for all ages, and are free.

Here are the first three shows:

• The Randy Oxford Band, Feb. 11
• Junkyard Jane, Feb. 18
• Chester Dennis Jones Band, Feb. 25

This Thursday, Feb. 4, the South Sound Blues Association will be at the Happy Days Casino hosting a Memphis Homecoming Party featuring live blues from Blues Redemption and JD Hobson, beginning at 7 p.m.

[Happy Days Casino, 11521 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood, 253.722.2022]

GOOD SUPPORT DURING THESE TRYING TIMES >>>

Bikinis Espresso Bar, one of Lakewood's many bikini espresso stands, will knock 25 cents off your cup of coffee if you say the word "bra" today. That's nice.

WELL THIS SUCKS FOR US >>>

The very popular MoonRise Cafe in Lakewood has reduced its hours to Monday through Friday only, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., in order to balance work with health. It's an unusual move since their weekend breakfasts are packed.

The ownership believes life isn't about working around the clock. Health is important.

Can't argue that.

MoonRise did recently bump up its pastry and muffin selection.

[MoonRise Cafe, 6020 Main St. SW, in the Lakewood Towne Center, Lakewood, 253.983.9999]

CHECKING IN WITH LAKEWOOD'S SALVADORAN RESTAURANT >>>

Salvadoran cuisine is often lumped with that of Mexico. It shouldn’t be. It’s mild and sweet, not wickedly spicy, and more Caribbean than anything.  There is a strong reliance in the kitchen on staples like corn, beans, and tomatoes — plus, being close to the sea, fish. 

You’ll also find Spanish influence as well.

El Pulgarcito, a Salvadoran restaurant on Pacific Highway in Lakewood, offers a tasty tour of El Salvador.  Pupusas are a way of life — stuffed pockets of masa dough with fillings like pork crackling or a flower bud called loroco — and the bisteck encebollado here, which is thin steak with onion and green pepper in a red sauce, is to die for.  I also enjoyed the deep fried tilapia; however, it took a little time to adjust to the head and tail still on staring up at me.

The Salvadoran restaurant is in the final stages of moving into the larger space next door to its former tiny spot. As folks enjoyed their lunch today, a gentleman tweaked the ventilation system above them in the main dining area. I have no idea if this infuriated them as everyone, except me, conversed in Spanish.

It should be noted that the general decor of this restaurants looks as if it's under constant construction. it's a bit on the shabby side. However, the food outweighs that fact.

[El Pulgarcito Salvadorean Restaurant, 12134 Pacific Highway S.W., Lakewood, 253.582.5173]

SUZY STUMP: HO HO HO A GO GO >>>

Here's the scene: It's getting late on Christmas night, the orgy of gift giving was over hours ago, and you have eaten enough to hibernate through the winter. Grandpa Freddy's head is beginning to bob, the Parcheesi game is coming out — and you are all out of spiked eggnog. Now is the time to get your young, vibrant self out of the family room and on to the dance floor. Now is the time to go to Lakewood.

Two clubs are open tonight featuring DJs in Santa hats and Naughty Little Ho Ho Hos with goodies for the naughty and the nice.

Happy Days Casino, Christmas Day DJ Dance, no cover, 9 p.m.

Last Call Bar, Christmas Day Party with DJ C-Luv spinning old skool, hip-hop, dance, Top 40, $5, ladies no cover, 8 p.m. $5.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: THIS JUST IN >>>

Tacoma Goodwill sent us a release regarding sad news that has hit the agency. Help out if you can.

TACOMA - Tacoma Goodwill today mourned the tragic loss of the wife of an employee who was found deceased in the Lakewood apartment fire yesterday. The agency has established a fund to help the family
 
Eduardo Vilog's wife, Aida, 63, was lost in the Village Apartments fire. Eduardo, 73, was working at Goodwill's production facility when the blaze occurred. He has been with the agency since 1998. Tacoma Goodwill established the Eduardo Vilog Family Fund with Columbia Bank to assist with immediate needs, including funeral-related expenses.
 

"Our hearts and prayers are with Eduardo and his family as they go through this tragedy, which is especially hard to take at this time of year," said Terry A. Hayes, Tacoma Goodwill CEO, who noted the agency has made counseling available to all its employees. "We want them to know they have friends here who will help them through this horrible time."
 
A second employee was also a resident of the apartment complex and was at work at the time of the blaze. Goodwill is supporting the work of The Red Cross with whatever emergency requests for clothes and household items are needed for all the families the fire impacted.
 
"We will offer all the help possible to support our employees, and help them and other victims through this tragedy," Hayes said.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: COMING TOGETHER >>>

Benefits for the four tragically slain Lakewood police officers are everywhere right now - and rightfully so. With so much pain, it's only naturally for people to want to help. It aids the healing process for our entire community.

Sunday at The Swiss in Tacoma, China Davis' Ben Fuller has helped throw together what, musically speaking, may be one of the best benefits going - collecting money for the Lakewood Police Independent Guild Charity Fund and offering music from The Missionary Position, Mom's Rocket, China Davis (naturally), Matt Eklund, Daniel Blue, Voxxy Vallejo and a host of others. The event - which has a $10 suggested donation - kicks of at 3 p.m. and has snowballed into a serious happening, with even KZOK getting involved to help promote it.

The Weekly Volcano caught up with Fuller earlier this week get his thoughts on the tragedy in Lakewood and organizing the benefit at the Swiss.

The interview will be posted in two parts. Part one posted on Thursday, Dec. 10. 

UPDATE: Fuller tells the Weekly Volcano that a benefit CD is being compiled and will be sold for $5 at Sunday's show at the Swiss. The CD will feature many of the artists scheduled to appear at the benefit.

WV: Talk about the lineup. What was your goal with it? How did you choose artists, and what were people's reactions when you approached them?

FULLER: The Northwest has a lot of music and no shortage of quality people offering to play events like this. My first goal was to put something together that Tacoma would want to see and show good taste. I kind of feel like this is a collection of some of the people I appreciate within the community. Actually, when Jeff Angell and Daniel Blue said they'd do it I knew we really had something. They are really the best of what Tacoma has to offer in their genre; it'd be a good event if they were the only ones on the bill. I really appreciate Jeff. He just jumped on this with no questions asked.

It's going to be good variety on Sunday. I'm really happy with the bill. We've got Dudley from Sweat Water and Voxxy Vallejo, who have four members who are longtime Lakewood residents finishing the night out. Mom's Rocket, who has been the KJR house band for the last year, will be playing.

I have my own personal favorites, too. People like Jim Basnight, who has a great back-story as a do-it-yourselfer from the late seventies punk and early eighties indie-rock scene.  

WV: Besides the music, what else are you doing at the event? Where does the money go?

FULLER: There will be $10 donation at the door and we are also putting together a raffle and all of the money goes to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild Charity Fund. http://lpig.us/ 

We also would love to offer any officer who would like to say something the chance to speak. This event is really about the community showing our appreciation for our policemen and policewomen. 

WV: How have the horrific murders in Lakewood that inspired this event personally affected you? Explain the emotions behind your involvement in this event.

FULLER: On a personal note, I found out that Officer Griswold was my daughter's mom's cousin. So, I guess in a way I am still trying to comprehend it all. I've been listening to music through different ears; I guess mortality is much more of a reality to me now. 

WEEKLY VOLCANO: COMING TOGETHER >>>

Benefits for the four tragically slain Lakewood police officers are everywhere right now - and rightfully so. With so much pain, it's only naturally for people to want to help. It aids the healing process for our entire community.

Sunday at The Swiss in Tacoma, China Davis' Ben Fuller has helped throw together what, musically speaking, may be one of the best benefits going - collecting money for the Lakewood Police Independent Guild Charity Fund and offering music from The Missionary Position, Mom's Rocket, China Davis (naturally), Matt Eklund, Daniel Blue, Voxxy Vallejo and a host of others. The event - which has a $10 suggested donation - kicks of at 3 p.m. and has snowballed into a serious happening, with even KZOK getting involved to help promote it.

The Weekly Volcano caught up with Fuller earlier this week get his thoughts on the tragedy in Lakewood and organizing the benefit at the Swiss.

The interview will be posted in two parts. Part one will post on Thursday, Dec. 10. The second part of the interview will post on Saturday, Dec. 12.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: If you can, briefly describe how this event came about. Why did you get involved, and why was it something you felt strongly about?

BEN FULLER: Like everyone else, hearing the news of this horrible shooting really blindsided me. My dad was a Pierce County Deputy for 33 years and in the back of my mind growing up I knew that something like this could happen. Also, my dad is a friend of Brad Carpenter who owns Forza Coffee, so knowing Brad really made it surreal to me. 

I actually went to the Forza website first because I wanted to donate to the families; the whole idea of nine children losing one of their parents just kills me. My girlfriend is a widow, so I know first hand what it's like for kids to miss their parent. I was about to donate, but I started thinking about doing some kind of event at that point. I emailed Brad first because I thought it might be a good idea to do coffee shop fundraisers of some kind, maybe even a CD. 

My mind was just going crazy so I started thinking about maybe doing something where the music community could contribute. I didn't figure it out right away; this event just grew very organically.

WV: Why was it important for you to have an event like this in Tacoma and at the Swiss? What purpose do you envision it serving - and who does it serve?

FULLER: The Swiss, at it's best, is a place where really just about anyone can feel comfortable. It feels like Tacoma to me; it feels like home. Everyone at the Swiss are either brothers or act like brothers, The Swiss represents family. I also think it's a great central location. 

When KZOK got involved they really wanted to move the show to a bigger venue, which ended up being the EMP. I really fought for keeping the Swiss show because I felt like we needed something in Tacoma. I like how everything worked out because the Bob Rivers Show is helping push this event, and Seattle also get'\s a great benefit out of it. The goal is to raise money for the families. If there are two shows, I think that can only be a good thing.

Check back Saturday for the second half of the Weekly Volcano's interview with Ben Fuller of China Davis.

RON SWARNER: FOOD MATTERS >>>

Show Off Your Wine: The Dockside Bistro and Wine Bar in Olympia offers a $1 cork fee every Tuesday.

This Is Bogels: Panera Bread has invented Bogels - bite-size pieces of their Cinnamon Crunch bagel coated with cinnamon and sugar prepackaged in cup holder friendly containers of six or 12. Panera Bread is in the Lakewood Towne Center, along Point Fosdick in Gig Harbor, at the Lacey Market Place and on South 320th Street in Federal Way.

Plan Ahead: Chef John Edwards will teach a class on How to Cook a Thanksgiving Dinner Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6 p.m. at the Bayview School of Cooking in Olympia. The school will also teach a Cranberries Beyond Relish class Nov. 15. Reserve your space at 360.754.1448.

Food For Thought: If your plate is bigger than 9 inches across, you're going to eat too much, one expert says.