Spc. Josh Saye smiled broadly as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Superstar John Cena autographed a target for him.

"Josh, thank you for teaching me how to make this target very dead!!" Cena wrote in blue ink on the target after he had fired a M4 rifle and perforated it with more than 50 bullet holes.

"Thank you!" said a very enthused Saye as Cena handed over the target.

"You are the man!"

Indeed.

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MONDAY, NOV. 25 2013 >>>

1. Monday is typically a black hole for nightlife. Sure, if you run a sports bar, you'll do well during football season, but for most eating and drinking establishments, it's just dead, dead, dead. The folks at The Swiss seem to have found a solution and, oddly enough, it's one that has been the bane of many other venues: live music. Since the beginning of time, The Swiss has hosted live blues every Monday. Factor in the free pool on Mondays and now Tuesdays are a black hole for you. The Crazy Texas Gypsies will be in the house this week. Founded in 1999 by vocalist and guitarist Kenny Williams and bass player and vocalist Kevin Fraser, this rockin' blues band has opened for ZZ TOP, Ted Nugent, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, The Ford Brothers and many others. With the addition of drummer Billy Barner and keyboardist Doug Skoog in 2012, the band is crazy good.

2. How do you escape the pressures of the holidays, like, really quick? Bundle up, drop your packages in the trunk, pinch your cheeks until they glow and strap on a pair of silver skates, Hans Brinker, for a glide across the frozen expanse at Tollefson Plaza. The Franciscan Polar Plaza, located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 17th Street. The covered outdoor rink is about half the size of a hockey rink. It will have real ice and hold about 150 skaters at a time. It's open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

3. Holy Midnight Express! It's a Turkish night at the Acme Grub Cage as the Tacoma Cult Movie Club rolls in at 7 p.m. Tonight, it's more Turkey for the money (free) for this pre-Thanksgiving holiday celebration as the TCMC indulges in movies from Turkey, including the Turkish Star Wars. As always, admission and popcorn are free. Don't forget it's 21+ only, and make sure you indulge in those great drinks and the fabulous raffle drawing.

4. New York Times bestselling author Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan, with his service dog "Tuesday," will give a talk and sign copies of his book, Until Tuesday: a Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever who Saved Him, at 8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25 at the Olympia Timberland Library. Montalvan is a 17-year veteran and former captain in the U.S. Army, where he was awarded the Combat Action Badge, two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor. Books will be available for purchase from the nonprofit organization, Northwest Battle Buddies. The library is at 313 Eighth Ave. SE in Olympia.

5. Every Monday at 9 p.m. Jazzbones is packed to the brim with college kids. Party types. The type that wear tight shirts and trucker hats. Throngs of Chad Fratguys and Sarah Sororitysisters swarm the bar, line up for the bathroom and dance to the Rockaraoke - live band karaoke. The Rockaraoke band is skilled, too. Expect $2 PBR drafts, $3 Sinfire shots, $4 Smirnoff flavor vodka bombs and a lot of students home for the holiday.

PLUS: Holiday Events Calendar

PLUS: South Sound Holiday Command Center

LINK: Monday, Nov. 25 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

MONDAY, NOV. 11 2013 >>>

1. The historical epoch of Armistice Day began with the Nov. 11, 1918, signing of a ceasefire between Germany and the Allied powers of World War I. President Woodrow Wilson initiated it. In the South Sound, we're reminded of war's impact more often than people in most other cities. But even so, it's not often enough. Our freedoms, our heritage and the way of life we enjoy today are made possible because of our military veterans. Today's 95th anniversary of Veterans Day honors all of America's veterans for their patriotism, service and sacrifice. And for their families, there is no better time than now to recognize them and give thanks for the remarkable sacrifices they have made. For stories and events honoring our local veterans, visit the Veterans Day Command Center.

2. The Pioneer Park Pavilion in Puyallup is the site of a Veterans Day celebration at 1 p.m. Enjoy the JBLM Army Jazz Combo along with words from guest speaker Tommie Lamb, the Tuskegee Airmen Chapter president.

3. In celebration of Veterans Day, the Washington State History Museum hosts a riveting stage adaptation of the best-selling novel, If All the Sky Were Paper. Local actors from the NW Playwrights Alliance will read from a collection of wartime letters revealing a range of emotions experienced by veterans and active duty military personnel. The stage production, which happens from 2-3 p.m., is part of an all-day celebration at the downtown Tacoma Museum.

4. In the same way that sharks must keep swimming to keep breathing, it seems guitarist Rafael Tranquilino must fuse genres across various musical projects in order to stay afloat. His arrangements incorporate blues, funk, rock, funk, ska, metal, reggae, Latin and jazz-fusion. As accomplished as he is varied, Tranquilino can be seen every Monday night at 8 p.m. as host of Stonegate Pizza's rockin' blues, if not experimental, jam.

5. While all of the glossy, radio-ready electro-pop and achingly beautiful, heartfelt lyrics of Melanie Valera's (aka Tender Forever) recordings were well on display during this year's Squeak and Squawk Music Festival, what we weren't expecting was how utterly charming and downright funny Valera is in a live setting. Kicking off her shoes and dancing down in the pit with the audience members, Valera announced herself as a mesmerizing performer. Narrating youtube videos via projection screen, conducting percussion with Wii remotes, making a shaved-head picture of Britney Spears both silly and inspiring - Tender Forever is a stunning live act, and one that you shouldn't dare miss at 8 p.m. with Poppet and Mirrorgloss at The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Monday, Nov. 11 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

In 1944, 63 young men stood trial at a Japanese internment camp at Heart Mountain, Wyo. for resisting the draft; the impact of this action was a poignant part of American history. A local filmmaker brings this history alive, and now South Sound residents have the opportunity to be a part of the conversation.

The Fife History Museum, which recently launched its latest exhibit, "Rights, Rations, Remembrance: Fife in World War II," proudly offers patrons an opportunity to learn more about this significant era. The general public is cordially invited to the museum on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. to view director Frank Abe's controversial World War II documentary, Conscience and the Constitution.

The film reveals the long-untold story of the organized draft resistance at the American concentration camp at Heart Mountain and the suppression of that resistance by Japanese American leaders. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker and other community leaders.

Conscience and the Constitution takes us back in time to December 1941, when war was raging in Europe and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor stunned the nation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast, many of whom were already U.S. citizens, be placed in internment camps spread out among seven states.

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SUNDAY, SEPT 15 2013 >>>

1. The city of Lakewood, in cooperation and partnership with the Lakewood Subchapter of the Association of the U.S. Army, the 4/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team and other community partners, will host two welcome home events for members of 4/2, who have recently returned from a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan.  The morning kicks off at 9 a.m. with a parade to welcome and salute the returning troops.  The route begins at the Lakewood Police Department (Lakewood Drive and 95th Street), and ends at Lakewood City Hall (6000 Main St. SW). The homecoming event continues with a family friendly community party at Fort Steilacoom Park. This event will begin at noon and run until 6 p.m. There is no entry fee, and free onsite parking is available.

2. The Red Hot has added three sausage hot dogs to its menu: The Cowboy ($4.75), Berliner ($4.25) and The Dakota ($4.50). TRH bartender Mitchell gave nod to The Cowboy, a locally made beef/cheddar sausage link on a steamed poppyseed bun, topped with barbecue sauce, chopped onions, slice of bacon, nacho cheese sauce and jalapeños. Giddy up! The Cowboy pairs well with Belgian style ales, which are $1 off on Sundays. Oh, TRH opens at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays for the game.

3. Latin Americans love to party. From Mexican tamales to pizza from Argentina, food is crucial in the holiday mix, as is dance, whether it's salsa, samba or merengue. The moves and beats differ, but they always create a purely Latin rhythm. Taste, feel and see the action at Fiestas Patrias, a celebration of Latin America's Independence Day at the Washington State Fair. From noon to 9 p.m. a collection of Latin entertainment ranging from traditional mariachis to colorful folkloric dancers to Roberto Tapia and other well-known musicians playing on the radio will gather in the Main Grandstand. Plus, expect authentic foods, vendors, artisans and kids activities.

4. Pound the buttons on some old school title, claim the next game by placing quarters on the edge of the screen or just watching other players defeat pixelated villains with killer techniques from 1 p.m. to midnight during Dorky's third-year anniversary party. For $20, you will receive unlimited play, trips to the taco bar and quarterly raffles.

5. The Squeak and Squawk Music Festival has invited indie bands from all over the Northwest and beyond to stop by Tacoma and unleash their magic through Sept. 16. Here is the schedule for today: (6-9 p.m., all ages, Library at Sanford and Son) LAKE, Friends and Family and The Hoot Hoots (9:30 p.m., 21+, The New Frontier Lounge) Not From Brooklyn, Fen Wik Ren and the Wheelies. Descriptions of the bands can be found here.

LINK: Sunday, Sept. 15 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

For the first time in 50 years, an all-military parade passed in downtown Tacoma yesterday evening.

The Daffodil Festival committee worked with community officials in coordinating the parade.

"It is great to honor those who serve," Joe Bernstein, a Daffodil Festival volunteer said moments before the parade began.

"This is just awesome!"

While thousands lined both sides of Pacific Avenue from 13th Street to 24th Street, more than 70 entries - comprised of active duty members, patriotic organizations, motorcycle units, historical groups and National Guard Soldiers - passed in review as Mayor Marilyn Strickland emceed.

Col. Joe Jackson, a Medal of Honor winner, served as Parade Grand Marshall.

The Daffodil Festival Royalty gave up their seats on the Queen's Float to 24 wounded soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion from Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"It's good to see that some people around here care," said Army veteran Paul Bradshaw. 

>>>  Zoie Creso of Tacoma got up close with members of the Army's 56th Band as it played at Tollefson Plaza.

>>> American Gold Star Mothers marched in remembrance of those service members who have fallen.

>>> A veteran shakes hands with a Marine before the beginning of the Military Parade, which was hosted by the Daffodil Festival.

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SATURDAY, AUG. 24 2013 >>>

1. The Washington State History Museum is taking a step back in time to study one of America's greatest unsolved mysteries: the 1971 disappearance of skyjacker D.B. Cooper from a plane traveling from Portland to Sea-Tac. A grand opening public event of the "Cooper" exhibit will take placetoday . The celebration will include behind-the-scenes tours throughout the morning; at 11 a.m., Gary Young, a parachute expert and professional stuntman, will demonstrate what it's like to jump out of a Boeing 727 at night - and survive, and at 2 p.m., Citizen Sleuth investigator Tom Kaye will present his notorious search for Cooper.

2. The Weekly Volcano gears up for the annual Tacoma Maritime Festival like the Super Bowl. We just can't get enough of celebrating Commencement Bay, and the "Working Waterfront" as it's known. This year marks the 21st annual Maritime Fest - and it might host the most fighting ever. Expect harbor tours, seminars, tall ship cannon battles, music, Kids Zone, boat building, Knights of Veritas' medieval-period pavilion with handgonne demonstrations and a beer garden. The action runs Saturday and Sunday. That's why they call it a "Working Waterfront" - weekends off are for pussies.

3. We can't pass up a glass of wine. Just ask our rehab counselor. But stir it up in a bowl along with some local art, shopping the Stadium District, and all to benefit the Historical Stadium District - you've made a dinner we'll heat 'n' eat any day of the week. The Stadium District shops in conjunction with some Washington wines and local artists have put together a Saturday evening titled the Stadium District Art & Wine Walk. A $35 ticket includes 10 wine tastes at 21 host businesses, savory hors d'ouvres and a commemorative wine glass that we're sure will end up on the shelf at Goodwill Industries next spring. The best part of it all is there's a wine garden for people who don't enjoy walking for their wine. It runs from 4-9 p.m.

4. The Olympia Pub Crawl begins with a 5k run from Swantown Marina, then leads to a kick-off party at the 1230 Room and pub crawl along Fourth Avenue and culminates with live music at the Capitol Theater. Participants can attend one or all of the events. Full Moon Radio, 10 Cents in Oklahoma, Horsebodies and Hurts Like Hell will be rocking the Last Call Party, and Mr. Frank from Evergreen College radio, KAOS, will be playing emcee. The Olympia Pub Crawl kicks off at 2 p.m. at the 1230 Room in downtown Olympia. Day of tickets are $40, which includes T-shirt, if available, kickoff party at 1230 Room and the Last Call Party at the Capitol Theater. For the show only; it's $20. Read Nikki McCoy's full feature on the Olympia Pub Crawl in Bars and Clubs section.

5. Tonight, a tradition is being revived in downtown Tacoma and everyone is invited to come and take part. The city of Tacoma and the Daffodil Festival will partner to host the inaugural Celebrating Military Service Parade. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force Reserves, Army National Guard, Navy Reserves, Washington Air National Guard, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion have all entered into the parade. The festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. in Tollefson Plaza, on South 17th and Pacific Avenue, with a performance by the 56th Army Band. Then, at 6 p.m., the parade will start out down Pacific Avenue and head throughout downtown. Read Melissa Renahan's full feature on the Celebration of Military Service Parade.

LINK: Saturday, Aug. 24 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

See Also

>>> Live music tonight in the South Sound

Two more mondays left ...

Striving to differentiate itself from American Idol, The Voice and karaoke night in the mental ward, here comes another season of Operation Rising Star, the singing contest for soldiers and military family members based on the American Idol format.

Yo, Joint Base Lewis McChord! Do you want to host the rapid fire of hopes and dreams realized and shattered and realized and shattered, like an endless loop of Aerosmith songs - at times, entertaining; at others, it dragged on?

Installations and garrisons interested in hosting 2013 Operation Rising Star events must apply by July 29. Local competitions will be contested in September and/or October. Fort Hunter Liggett in Jolon, Calif., was first to apply this year.

Here is the sales pitch from a news release:

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Gun rights has been a buzz worthy issue lately in the United States, with a number of high profile tragedies drawing attention to the Second Amendment. Are we interpreting it correctly? What was the Amendment's intent? Author and veteran Gerald Petersen hopes to bring some much needed sanity to the issue with his new book, A Right to Bear Arms?: What Were the Founders Thinking?

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