MICHAEL SWAN: DOWN BEAT GIVES LOVE TO PIERCE COLLEGE VOCAL GROUP >>>

Pierce College’s Farwest Vocal Jazz Ensemble entered Down Beat Magazine’s national jazz competition. Farwest submitted four songs to the national monthly jazz publication last fall, and waited for word. And waited. And waited. There wasn’t a physical competition, so they had to wait. And wait.

The word came in this week. They won Best Collegiate Vocal Jazz Group.

The four songs came off their latest CD, Groovin’ Hard, which was recorded on the Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus last spring.

“It is a nice bit of recognition for the Farwest Vocal Jazz Ensemble,” said Director Kelly Kunz in a press release. “Our program has a longstanding tradition of excellence and this is a great honor for us.”

To access free audio and video clips of the group, visit the Pierce College Web site.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: COMBINING MENUS >>>

Anyone who has been bar hopping around the South Sound as long as the scribes of the Weekly Volcano will know the peppered history of the bar at 7505 Steilacoom Blvd. The bar has changed names more often than George W. Bush changed speechwriters back when he was president. The bar has been known as the Tanglewood and Rudy's Pub and Grill. The change of the year brought another name, but this one has a much better chance of success because the names behind it know the business big time.

Names associated with the bar, newly christened the Lakewood Pub and Grill, have ties to The Schooner Pub and Eatery along Lakewood's 100th Street Southwest, the college bar The Haven, in Parkland, the 2121 Tavern and Blackstar Tavern.

Learning what works at those bars helped make the new place find solid footing quickly, owner Steve Kitchens says, noting that the pub will be finalizing its menu in a few weeks. But fear not, the Haven's signature pizza will be on the list, albeit a thin crust version, the Rudy-maker prime rib sandwich will remain as will the signature burgers.

The joint has switched from a restaurant and bar to being just a bar, so kids aren't allowed. But its casual sports bar vibe makes it a neighborhood hangout in the offing. It's location along one of the South Sound's main drags further makes it a place to gather folks from the four corners.

[Lakewood Pub and Grill, 7505 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W, Lakewood, 253.582.9195]

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

RON SWARNER: HE'S BACK >>>

Trumpeter Rich Wetzel has hosted a few jazz nights around the South Sound including Station 56 and the former Hotel Bar & Grill. He's fired up a new one.

Wetzel will be hosting jazz every Saturday night at Oh' Gallagher's in Lakewood. For two hours beginning at 5 p.m., he'll bring in combos, quartets and his own giant Groovin Higher Jazz Orchestra.  This Saturday, jazz singer Carole Kapeliela will be in the house.

[Oh' Gallagher's, Saturday, Jan. 10, 5-7 p.m., $5, 7304 Lakewood Dr. W., Lakewood, 253.476.8787]

JOSE GUTIERREZ JR.: LIVE FROM I-5: HIP-HOP IN THE 25360 >>>

“Grindeeng … Grindeeng… You betta know what I keep in the lining!” â€" The Clipse

Haha! You better know that only the real hustlas eat! At least they eat how they like to eat and not how YOU might want them to eat. Ask 253 representative, Jay Barz aka Tacoma’s Favorite White Boy! Just saw how he’s grindin’. You can catch him EVERYWHERE including tomorrow at Chop Suey (Seattle) with GMK, on Dec. 21 with E-40’s little cousin, Turf Talk at Maggie O’Toole’s in Lakewood and Dec. 27 with DJ Keri of Playboy at Station 56 in The Tac. People may be mumblin’ to themselves … ‘Why does Jay Barz appear in The 25360 so often?” Simple … He’s a hustla, hustlin’ his work! That kind of drive is ALWAYS rewarded in one way or another. Go hard!

Read the rest of my column on the Weekly Volcano's Web site.

JAKE DE PAUL: OAKBROOK NEIGHBORHOOD JOINT CHANGES AGAIN >>>

The folks behind the Schooner Pub in Lakewood bought Rudy's (7505 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood) and will rename it Lakewood Pub & Grub.

Could this be the final name for this joint?

STEPH DEROSA: LAKEWOOD REPRESENT! >>>

About two years ago Mimi's Cafe© on Gravelly Lake Drive in Lakewood changed hands and was renamed Vive Bene.  Basically, a French Cafe© transformed into a Italian restaurant.  Last night The KAke and I decided to give Vive Bene a try.  We wanted to see if it was something we could serve at this week's Dinner with DeRosa.  A unanimous, ââ?¬Å?Yes!ââ?¬Â? was the ultimate verdict.  We had polished off our bottle of wine, spring salads, KAke's Butternut Squash Ravioli, and my Smoked Salmon Ravioli before I realized I had not yet taken a picture of our fine meal.  So for DWD this week, we will be serving those previously mentioned ravioli dishes, yet unfortunately the only image you will get is that of one used and abused glass of wine. 

Kim and Amy both were extremely warm, genuine, and hospitable last night at Vive Bene.  Amy tells a story of how she has worked at the restaurant since it was Mimi's, and Kim was one of her regular customers.  She remembers an employee meeting a few years back where Mimi's previous owner calls in the new owner of the restaurant.  Amy was stricken with anger when she saw that the new owner was her regular customer, Kim, and that Kim had kept the restaurant purchase a secret from Amy.  The KAke and I were hoping they would begin to throw punches at each other, thus entertaining our demented minds, but nonesuch girl fight happened.  About a month after the purchase Kim and Amy reconciled their differences.  They are both invited to DWD this week.  I hope they go to blows this time.  That'd be fun to watch.

After leaving Vive Bene, there was no convincing needed when I asked The KAke to hit up a potential dive bar for this week's Bar Exam.  We drove down the street to The Schooner and proceeded to find a plethora of individuals who were interesting and fun.  You'll have to read the Bar Exam this Thursday to find out what we thought of The Schooner and how it ranked on the dive-o-meter.

It was fun being carded by Mike the doorman.  He was serious and professional until a passersby made perverted comments in our general direction.  It was then that his laughter was let loose.  We like Mike and his silly sense of humor, please come to our pretend Internet dinner.  Please?

Mandy and Nikki are my next two DWD guests.  They were out for a night without the kids, and they were tearing it up!  It was Mandy's first night out since the birth of her 4-month-old son. We feel ya, Mandy, The KAke and I feel your first-night-out-joy.

Darryl was fun to meet.  He's in town until November, and wouldn't tell us what he did for a living.  This leaves me only one option: to guess why he is in town until November.  After much thought, a few beers, and some intelligent deliberation with The KAke I've come to the conclusion that Darryl is, in fact, The Great Pumpkin.  This makes me extremely leery of inviting him to DWD.  I'm also hesitant of his invitation for one other very chilling fact: He's a Yankee fan.  Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!!  Scary!

My last guest for Dinner with DeRosa is either: Melissa, Kate, or Steph.  I don't know what her name is specifically, but I'm almost positive it's one of those.  The KAke has commended me before for being able to recall information and decipher my journal notes in a most impressive way.  Not this time.  All I know is I have three names written down for this girl's picture, and I can't remember which one is hers.  Sorry, MelissaKateSteph.  Whatever your name is, you're invited.  I think it was Steph.  Or Melissa.  Awe, hell, I don't know.

Mangiamo!

KEN SWARNER:JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD 2010 >>>

Fort Lewis and McChord officials reiterated and updated plans for making Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base one installation by Oct. 1, 2010 as required by the Base Realignment and Closure laws.

Speaking to the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee this morning, Public Affairs officials from both installations said the process to establish Joint Base Lewis-McChord continues to move forward.

Under the current plan, Fort Lewis will provide control of installation services such as public works and recreation for both installations as originally envisioned. The joint base commander will be an Army colonel, similar to the current garrison commander position. The joint base deputy commander will be an Air Force colonel.

Army and Air Force units will continue to train and report to their Army or Air Force commands, as it is now. The 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord will also maintain management of McChord’s airfield on behalf of the joint base commander.

In total, 12 joint bases will be developed across the United States. The first five finish the process in September 2009, while the remaining seven, including Fort Lewis, officially transform to a joint base January 2010 and complete the transition in September 2010.

While the Army takes the lead for Joint Base Lewis-McChord, it is only one of two joint bases to be led by the Army. Seven of the 12 joint bases are to be commanded by the Air Force, and four by the Navy.

Currently there is no plan to create a thoroughfare between the two installations, though that may change once the Cross Base Highway is built. For the time being, people moving from one base to the next will need to re-enter security gates.

BRAD ALLEN: SCHOONER GOES BIG FOR FOOTBALL >>>

The Schooner Pub in Lakewood is ready for football season. Everybody knows they installed a big screen television on their deck¬" at least all the smokers do.

And everybody knows they carry most of the college and pro games, which start this weekend.

But do you know their popular Saturday College Breakfast and Sunday Pro Breakfast start Sept. 6 and 7, 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively?  If you don't, then let me advise you to arrive early. It's a freakin' packed madhouse of various uniforms and enthusiasm.

BILL TIMNICK: SERENITY NOW >>>

In a manner of speaking, Lakewood was made for getaways, beginning with the founding of a number of country estates in the 19th-century by Tacoma area business leaders.  And although the then-bedroom community has since grown up, some of those estates remain, clustered around the local lakeshores.  One such estate on Gravelly Lake now belongs to a nonprofit group that maintains its long-celebrated gardens for public enjoyment.  The estate’s name is Lakewold Gardens.

This 10-acre estate includes a Georgian style mansion in addition to its carefully maintained plantings (some of which were designed by pioneer landscape designer Thomas Church), pathway, and statuary.  The gardens reflect a blending of traditional European and more modern American design styles as well as the personal tastes and gardening skills of the estate’s longtime owner Eulalie Wagner. 

Lakewold Gardens features more than 500 varieties of rhododendrons, cherry trees and several species of dogwood and climbing roses.  A self-guided tour of the network of paths takes about 90 minutes.  Guided tours also can be arranged.  There is also an on-site garden shop.

Lakewold Gardens, 12317 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W., is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September and Friday through Sunday beginning in October.  Adult admission is $5, seniors $3; children younger than 12 and Lakewold members are admitted free.  For more information, call 253.584.4106.

SUZY STUMP: 5 THINGS TO DO TODAY >>>>

10 A.M.: The Pierce County Fair offers animal competitions, carnival rides, kids activities, FFA demonstrations, live entertainment, tons of fair food, and enough vendor exhibits to restock your entire ranch home. Starting today through Sunday, take some time to take part in one of this region's most historical events. Get going to Graham.

10 A.M.: Today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ken's Tires (9601 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W. in Lakewood) the Hot Hut Girls, who have helped make topless women with tape on their nipples making mochas a topic of discussion and debate for all of the South Sound, will hold a benefit car wash for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

11 A.M.: This year's Showcase Tacoma offering of Tacoma talent reaches a nice, quiet critical mass. We offer as introductory evidence Fulcrum Gallery's topographical miniature golf course made from recycled junk; or seemingly random light-pole cozies by local devil-knitters; or the cardboard whale to be crafted by folks from the Helm; or the Weekly Volcano's Lava Tube; the requisite beaded jewelry kiosks; or the all-day, communal chalk drawing; or the Team Unicorn Records label showcase; or go see Deborah Page Ã," range, rhythm, presence, tone, a little funk; all happening in and around Tollefson Plaza in downtown Tacoma.

3 P.M.: Surf on over to the Sharon McGavick Conference Center and let the Asia Pacific Cultural Center transform you to a tropical paradise. Their annual Polynesian Luau celebrates through Polynesian music, food, dance and a beer garden.

7 P.M.: Seattle rock band Truce and Tacoma's hardcore quintet Sirens In the Sky close the book on Tacoma Public Library's last all-ages Rock The Books concert series for the summer tonight at the Tacoma Public Library.

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight
LINK: Viva South Sound arts and entertainment calendar