Who says that the city to the north has all the baseball action? Right here in our own backyard, the Tacoma Rainiers AAA Baseball Club offers thrilling baseball and family fun at Tacoma's newly renovated Cheney Stadium.

With that in mind, it's not too late to get in on a special Tacoma Rainiers event for the military community. Sunday, June 9, 2013, the Tacoma Rainiers will pay tribute to servicemembers during their special "Salute to Armed Forces Day" game. All active duty, Guard and reserves, retired military, DoD, and their family members will have access to specially priced ticket packages for the 1:30 p.m. game. The $8 package includes a reserved seat and meal and the $14 package includes a reserved seat, meal and limited addition Tacoma Rainiers Camo cap. In addition, Rainier's players and coaches will be donning special military-themed uniforms when the club takes on the Las Vegas 51s. After the game there will be live post-game jersey auction benefiting the USO Northwest.

While this game is nearly sold out, the good news is that there are limited tickets still available, so don't delay. To purchase tickets and redeem the offer, visit www.tacomarainiers.com/armedforces and use the promo code MILITARY to qualify for the special discounted options made available exclusively to the military community on this game only.

When we think of art, we think of many things. Art brings us emotion, thoughts and ideas, appreciation and imagination. However, one of the most important things art can do is to create connections between people and bring an entire community together - particularly in the spirit of support and love.  

In the South Puget Sound, there's an opportunity to participate in this very type of an art project while welcoming our Servicemembers back from serving overseas.

Sunday, Sept. 15, the city of Lakewood - in cooperation with the 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), the Lakewood subchapter of the Association of the Unites States Army and a host of community partners - will throw a Raiders Welcome Home Celebration and parade for the 4-2 SBCT after its 9-month deployment to Afghanistan.

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If you're starting to plan a summer vacation, or even a few overnight outings, it can be daunting when you look at the price tag attached. Luckily, military families have access to a variety of destinations, for free, so long as they can show proper military ID.

For starters, more than 2,000 museums nationwide will open their doors, free of charge, to active duty Servicemembers, National Guardsmen and Reservists, as well as their respective, through Sept. 2. The Blue Star Museums Program, which began in 2010 as a collaboration between the DoD, Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts, has been growing dramatically and includes everything from science to fine arts to children's museums. For a state-by-state list of participating museums, click here, which includes Tacoma's Museum District.

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This Memorial Day weekend, something extra special is happening in city of DuPont.

The DuPont American Legion Auxiliary, Pat Tillman Memorial Unit #53, is pleased to invite the local community to join them in honoring our veterans and to help support valuable local veteran's programs and resources.

The annual Poppy Program has symbolically recognized the sacrifice and service of veterans since 1921. Over part of Memorial Day weekend, the volunteers in the American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Program will distribute lovingly hand-crafted poppies in exchange for donations that go directly to assist disabled and hospitalized local veterans. This year however, there's going to be a delicious addition to this age-old tradition.

Forza Coffee Company, located in the heart of downtown DuPont, will be the site of this year's poppy distribution center from 7:30 to 3 p.m. Friday, May 24. There will also be a chance for patrons to win a beautiful handmade lap quilt by raffle drawing.

Monday, May 27, 7:30 a.m. to noon, Forza Coffee Company will be selling a yummy custom drink. "The American Legion Latte," a delicious blend of white chocolate mocha with raspberry, will be available for purchase. Portions of each sale go directly to the organization's efforts on behalf of veterans. The poppies and quilt raffle will also be available on that morning.

Forza Coffee Company is at 1520 Wilmington St. in DuPont.

For more information on this event, please contact Karen at 253.566.1124.

THURSDAY, MAY 23 2013 >>>

In the last month, recent corruption scandals in (pick a state or country) have been compared to From Russia With Love, season two of The Sopranos, Stranger Than Fiction and Groundhog Day. In regards to momentum, The South Puget Sound Community College Theater Program sure picked the right time to stage its humor-filled tale of political corruption, View of the Dome. According to SPSCC hype, "The play follows an idealistic, young Washington attorney who persuades her former law professor to run for Congress. Ideals shrivel in the Washington air as the professor is swept into an insider's circle that includes a leering, power-drunk senator and a slinky Southern power broker." catch it at 8 p.m. in the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center.

2. The University of Washington Tacoma hosts Tribute to Our Troops from 12:30 to 1:30 at William Philip Hall on its campus. The event is free and open to the public. Active military, veterans, family members, friends and anyone who wants to recognize the commitment and sacrifice of those in the armed forces are all welcome to attend. Expect music by local country musician Jonathan Harris, speeches and special coins.

3. Think running and drinking don't mix unless there's a K-9 unit involved? Not true. The Tacoma Runners - a group of T-Town pavement pounders - meet every Thursday for a 3-mile loop at a "social pace" at one of Tacoma's favorite watering holes. Tonight at 6:30 p.m. the starting and finishing line will be El Guadalajara on Sixth Avenue.

4. Blues dancing derives from the so-called "Black vernacular" of Southern dance styles and includes such moves as the Lindy and the irresistibly named "Funky Butt." Worst case scenario: you have two left feet but get to listen to Nina Simone. Check out OlyBlues Dance at 9 p.m. inside the Eagles Ballroom.

5. The Barleywine Revue will fill The Swiss in downtown Tacoma with fiddle music beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, May 23 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 2013 >>>

1. As the Defense Department shifts its military power and presence from a shrinking Middle East war zone to the vast Asia-Pacific region, it also is rebalancing its focus within the increasingly important region. From 4-6 p.m., the University of Washington Tacoma will host a symposium focusing on the United States' strategic rebalance toward Asia-Pacific. While it will be a moderated discussion with scheduled speakers, there will be time for open questions from the audience as well. Attendees will get to here commentary from Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, deputy commanding general, I Corps, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Daniel Malarkey, deputy director, Washington State Department of Commerce, as well as high-ranking faculty from the UW. The event is free, but registration is required; click here to sign up.

2. For this month only, Stanley and Seafort's (115 E. 34th St., Tacoma) is offering a delectable deal. With any steak on the menu they will add a complimentary side of coconut prawns or a petite lobster tail with the simple mention of this offer.

3. Concoctors of all things hoppy, malty and brewtastic at Tacoma's own Harmon Brewery are taking over the ballgame. Cheney Stadium (2502 S. Tyler St., Tacoma) is hosting Harmon Brewery Night during the Rainiers' game May 22 beginning at 7 p.m. In exchange for a $7 reserve ticket you'll receive a $5 voucher for a pint of tasty Harmon beer. Sip on a Point Defiance, Mt Takhoma Blonde or a Black Tartan IPA. Anyone who has been to a fair share of baseball games knows a $5 ballpark brew is a steal. Get some.

4. Songwriter Mary Win will perform haunting original folk songs from 7-9 p.m. at Rhapsody In Bloom Florist & Cafe Latte.

5. Pub trivia nights can either ignite the party or stifle the mood. McNamara's Pub & Eatery in DuPont does everything possible to avoid being a major buzz kill. Every Wednesday McNamara's Pub starts team trivia at 7 p.m. Irish-inspired food helps trivia players stock up on brainpower before the trivia starts. Beer and drink specials happen at trivia intermission. Because everyone knows a good buzz makes trivia that much easier. What's the capital of Kazakhstan? Take a drink and think.

LINK: Wednesday, May 22 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Although Yelm is a small town, it is filled with a huge military presence that is best exemplified through the actions of its residents, such as the town's participation in the Memorial Day running event, wear blue: run to remember.

Amanda Huston, an avid runner and longtime military spouse, had seen a similar run described in DuPont. Last year she decided to organize a Yelm version to honor those who've given the ultimate sacrifice.

Though she has not tallied up the RSVPs or pledged miles just yet, Huston is certain that the numbers will far exceed those from last year, especially since there is still time for more to join. To register or pledge miles, visit the run's Facebook. The run - though you are welcome to walk or bike too - will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, May 27 at the head of Tenino Trail. A barbecue lunch, courtesy of donations, will begin at 10:30 a.m., across the street at Yelm City Park.

How far is the run? There is no finish line, although stopping for the barbecue lunch seems like a solid plan.

>>> The group from 2012's first annual wear blue: run to remember Memorial Day run. Planners hope to double attendance this year.

"I am touched everyday by a Goldstar family in my daily life. I know of two more that also live in Yelm who just want their soldiers sacrifice remembered," Huston explained. "That is what our group does. We meet monthly in Yelm to call the names of the Fallen and of our friends, then we run for those who can no longer run."

FRIDAY, MAY 17 2013 >>>

1. Talented artists command the Madera Architectural Elements Showroom semi-monthly, illuminating their work and creativity with the visually aided enhancement implied by the name of the series, TRIPOD Slide Shows. Created by Tacoma artist Lynn Di Nino, the night of digital slides features three artists and one creative theme.  The next TRIPOD Slide Show slides into Madera tonight from 7-8:30 p.m. featuring 15-minute slide shows by Mady Murrey will show slides of art hidden at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, nationally syndicated political cartoonist Chris Britt and Oregon’s "Barbie Lady" LaVonne Sallee.

2. The annual Military Retiree Appreciation Day event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hangar 9, building #1166, on JBLM-McChord Field. Event officials are expecting approximately 2,000 military beneficiaries to attend, who will enjoy the Madigan Healthcare System Health Fair, ID card issuance and replacement opportunities, the Legal Assistance Station, Vehicle registration fun, the VA Compensation Review Station and the Veterans Information Expo.

3. Grit City Comedy Club will be closed for three weeks while Malarkey’s Pool & Brew hosts the APA League Championship for Pierce County May 17-June 1. Winners will move onto the Nationals in Las Vegas.

4. Paula McLain wrote The Paris Wife, a novel that captures the love affair between Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley Richardson. McLain paints a real sense of their daily life - Hemingway's charisma, genius, stinginess and cruelty that apparently could erupt with no warning - and the citizens of Pierce County know this. For the past two months, thousands have been reading the book as part of the Pierce County READS program. At 7 p.m., McLain will drop in on the McGavick Conference Center to discuss the book, and the life of the famous couple.

5. Local Internet NWCZ Radio knows music. It's not only obvious from their daily shows, but also in the live shows they produce — as in the case of the 9 p.m. presentation of Ben Union, Perry Acker and The Furniture Girls at the Harmon Tap Room in Tacoma.

LINK: Friday, May 17 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

TOURS AND POETRY >>>

The Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Tacoma preserves the artifacts and history of the Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry - all-African-American cavalry units that served in America's wars from 1866 through the end of WWII. They participated in cross-country cattle drives, escorted wagon trains and stagecoaches through often volatile territories of the Wild West and fought in the Spanish-American War and both world wars. The museum was founded by Buffalo Soldier William Jones of Tacoma.

"Before Mr. Jones died in 2007 he had already amassed quite a few relics from other Buffalo Soldiers and a large quantity of printed materials, in order to start his museum," says Lynn Di Nino, local artist and friend of the museum. "Of course he belonged to the national organization and attended their reunions every year."

The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, or by appointment.

Saturday, Jan. 26 the Buffalo Soldiers Museum will host its first open house, welcoming everyone in to learn and explore. Local poet Elijah Muied will be on tap with a reading of a work inspired by the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Muied's poems have been published in "Threads" and he has showcased his work at his own open mic events as well as multi-poet happenings such as Hope in Hard Times at WSHM.

There will also be refreshments and tours of the museum. The open house is free. Come one, come all.

BUFFALO SOLDIERS MUSEUM, SATURDAY, JAN. 26, NOON TO 4 P.M., FREE, 940 S. WILKESON ST., TACOMA, 253.272.4257

TUESDAY, NOV. 13, 2012 >>>

1. The Swiss Pub and science are synonymous. OK, so maybe they're not quite synonymous, but they do go together quite well - the "Tacoma Science Café" at the Swiss proves it. Tonight, U.S. Geological Survey's Chris Magirl, Ph.D., will discuss the causes of floods and approaches to reduce the threats of flooding in our communities. The dicussion and beer begin at 6:30 p.m.

2. Today is International Chowder Day. Yahoo! In celebration of said day Duke’s Chowder House on the Ruston waterfront will hand out free small bowls of chowder during operating hours.

3. Several Tuskegee Airmen will drop by the annual meeting of the Lakewood Historical Society to share stories. The celebration begins at 7 p.m. inside St Mary's Episcopal Church next to the Lakewood Library.

4. Maria Sampen, Tim Christie and David Requiro will perform the music of Zoltan Kodaly, Gordon Jacob and J.S. Bach as part of the Classical Tuesdays In Old Town series. The trio hit the chairs at 7 p.m. inside the Slavonian Hall.

5. Get your groove on tonight in Parkland. DJ spins during "$2 Tuesdays" at Lady Luck Cowgirl Up, offering Top 40 action plus $2 wells and drafts. The good times start at 9 p.m. Or, if you're looking for something more, peruse the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here. 

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound