1. This event celebrates the return of salmon and highlights the hard work accomplished by multiple groups to help ensure a successful run. Enjoy fish painting, marine touch tanks, green boating, bird house building, yummy salmon burgers, a salmon obstacle course, and more. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., free, Skansie Brothers Park, 3207 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, (253) 845-2973

2. People familiar with the work of local artist and author Nikki McClure marvel at her intricate paper-cut designs, created with nothing more than a sheet of paper and a precision blade. How does she do it? McClure will demonstrate her process at the Lacey Timberland Library on Saturday, September 29 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. She will also read from her children's book "Apple," which will be available for purchase and signing. The program is for all ages. 10:30 a.m. - noon, free, Lacey Timberland Library, 500 College St. SE, Lacey,(360)491-3860.

3. Zombies are taking over T-Town - and no - not the bath salt eating kind, but the kind that in real life are fun-loving people who want to get gory for a good cause. Tacoma Zombpocalypse is also a preparedness expo for doomsday. Expect live music from the Hot Roddin Romeos and lots of contest and prizes. This is a benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project. 9 a.m. - 10 p.m., $5 - $12, Best Western Tacoma Dome Hotel, 2611 East E Street, Tacoma, www.tacomazombpocalypse.com

4. The Moon Festival is a popular Asian celebration of abundance and togetherness dating back over 3,000 years to China’s Zhou Dynasty. This family-friendly celebration will bring together businesses, residents, community groups and visitors from all areas of Pierce County and beyond for a safe, fun, cultural experience. This annual waterfront event will also highlight the progress of a collaborated project between the City of Tacoma and its citizens to build the commemorated Chinese Reconciliation Park. Mid-Autumn Festival ("Zhongqiu Jie" in Mandarin Chinese), is a traditional holiday widely celebrated in Aisa, that marks the end of summer and autumn’s equinox, when the moon is supposedly at its fullest and roundest (thus the nickname “moon festival”).2 - 9 p.m., free, 1741 N. Schuster Parkway, Tacoma,(253) 330-8828.

5. Want to meet a former Mariner? Brian Hunter will be in Olympia throwing down some batting moves. "I'm excited to meet someone that has played pro ball and see if I can get some pointers," says employee Joe Matt. Donations will be given to charity in support of Hunter's DH Foundation and the Vintage 9 Foundation. 1 - 4 p.m., donations, Airport Golf and Batting Center, 8080 Center Street Southwest, Tumwater,(360) 786-8626.

WRITER/DIRECTOR JESSE WATSON'S FILM TO SCREEN AT STIFF >>>

We all have multiple identities. Sometimes, Tacoma's Rick Walters makes films. He produces, acts, and has even written and directed his own short, 2011's Scamp. At other times he wears the title Dad for his son Race (the two performed together in Scamp).

But on this particular day Walters plays yet another role - Operations Sergeant at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Dressed in full ACU (army combat uniform), he drives me across the vast post (where he works full-time) toward the French Theater, for a privileged screening of his latest producing effort. I'm no solider, but I get to be an audience of one this afternoon.

I have about 600 seats to choose from within the movie house. I plop down in one as the lights dim, looking forward to seeing A Man, Buried, which I've heard about online for more than a year. The film brings back to the screen a few local faces I recognize: Darlene Sellers (Fantastic Confabulations) and Tony Doupe (who I met just weeks ago on another Andrew Finnigan production, Koinonia).

Read more...

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Don't Want To Mess With The Duck: The University Place City Council voted down a $16,000 proposal involving tax dollars and donations to install a 50-foot flagpole at the public plaza fronting the building over concerns about the use of tax dollars and the possibility of it overshadowing the bronze duck sculpture. (News Tribune)

Tacoma Alcohol Impact Areas: The new liquor law will bring booze into Tacoma's two AIA areas. (News Tribune)

Nice Knowing Ya: North Korea has a long-range rocket on the launch pad, but says it's in the name of science. (Aljazeera)

Syria: Hope dims for pullout as bloodshed crosses border. (CNN)

Technology Arms Race: AOL strikes $1.1 billion patent deal with Microsoft. (The New York Times)

R.I.P: Mike Wallace. (USA Today)

Letters To Kurt: Hole guitarist Eric Erlandson talks about Kurt Cobain. (Rolling Stone)

Thrillsville: A This American Life segment spins off to become a new HBO series. (Screen Rant)

Today In Timelines About Attention: Kanye West. (Flavorwire)

Breakfast Meats TV: Bacon reality show. (New York Post)

What Life Might Become

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012 >>>

1. Every traveler has had that Moment. The Moment you know you will look back on six months (or a year, or 10 years) from now and laugh. Laugh and laugh and laugh, just laugh hysterically that you could be so wrong about a flight time, or that performing street monkeys could have such light fingers. If you'd like to remember that Moment when the young French fella stole all your cash while you were kissing along the Seine, and laugh to yourself, the Second City Chamber Series continues its "Hallowed Halls" season of exploration in regards to music with a program entitled "Paris Conservatoire" featuring works for wind instruments from the French tradition. At 7:30 p.m. inside The Great Hall of Annie Wright School, the Principal Winds of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra (Mary Jensen, flute; Selena Greso, oboe; and John Ruze, bassoon) join pianist Oksana Ezhokina for compositions by French composers Jules Demersserman, Marin Marais, Francis Poulenc, and Alexandre Tansman, as well as by the Canadian/American composer, Bill Douglas. Go to expedite your transition to the laughing place. Just go.

2. Who serves the best Cloud Chowder in Tacoma? Tonight, the Mandolin Café does. The recently formed rockin' blues improv trio will explore the space at 6 p.m.

3. Metrosexual: (noun) "Of or pertaining to a straight, urban male who is eager to embrace and even show off his feminine side, especially when it comes to expensive haircuts, designer suits, and $40 face cream." At 7:30 p.m. inside Orca Books, poet Bill Kelly will sing the praises of th emetrosexual when he reads from Kindness Is In Me: Poems in Praise of Men. The poems in this book, and the photos accompanying them, offer a much needed corrective to the masculine images so prevalent in the media. All proceeds from the sale of the book at the event will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound.

4. Jazzbones hosts the VetsMeetVets Military Appreciation Fundraiser with Cee Cee James, Voxxy Vallejo and Stacy Jones beginning at 7:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit VetsMeetVets.org, with 20 percent off bar and food tabs for those with military ID.

5. The Harmon Tap Room Underground continues to hone its new music room with an Automatic Theory and Bodybox show at 9 p.m.

MORE THINGS TO DO: The Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight in the region

LINK: South Sound happy hour food and drinks

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Weather: It's still messed up. (News Tribune)

Foothills: Your morning arithmetic quiz has been canceled due to snow. (News Tribune)

Dale Washam Update: The Pierce County Council wants him gone. (News Tribune)

6th Congressional Contention: State legislators Jan Angel and Jim Hargrove have bowed out of contention as successors to U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks. (News Tribune)

Afghanistan: The Obama administration is discussing a speedier pullout. (The New York Times)

Syria: Many women and children are among those killed in a year of attacks by the government, a U.N. official says. (CNN)

Jack Kerouac: Too bad he's not alive to see his only play staged for the first time. (Yahoo)

Kiss Mini-Golf Course: It's opening in Las Vegas this week. (NME)

Pork Donuts: Dunkin' Donuts will serve them in China. (Laughing Squid)

Background Music: Enjoy the '70s during your busy work today. (Network Awesome)

Grandpa Joe Gets Harshed

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Why You Can't Read Morning Spew: Because your power is out. (News Tribune)

Not Good: Taliban vow revenge for Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army staff sergeant who went on a killing rampage in Afghanistan. (CNN)

Finally: Pierce County leaders stopped paying Assessor-Treasure Dale Washam's legal bills. (News Tribune)

President Obama's Health Care Law: It's go time for Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. (The New York Times)

Bob Dylan: He's working on a new album. (The Guardian)

Guns N' Roses: Reunion unlikely at Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction. (NME)

Taylor Swift: She was the highest-earning musician of 2011. (BBC)

We Have To Drive To Lynnwood?: AMC Theaters to hold ultimate Marvel Marathon on May 3. (Coming Soon)

Will Ferrell: He has a new music video. (Hollywood Reporter)

Will This Happen In Tacoma April 23?

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Leadership Change: Stewart Middle School Principal Jon Ketler - founder of Tacoma School of the Arts and the Science and Math Institute - forced out due to complaints. (News Tribune)

Camp Murray Gate: The proposed move might cause unsafe conditions for Tillicum residents. (News Tribune)

Narrows Bridge Toll: It's going to cost Tacomans more to go chill on the deck at Tides Tavern. (News Tribune)

Oh Crap: A line of storms stretching from Illinois to Louisiana may cause tornadoes and severe weather in the battered Midwest. (CNN)

Yelp Help: The online hub for local business reviews priced its initial public offering at $15 a share. (The New York Times)

Twister Waves: Researchers describe a completely new way to pack information into radio, TV, and wi-fi signals. (BBC)

Davy Jones: Peter Tork shares memories of his former Monkees bandmate. (USA Today)

The Shins: Grab updates and listen to the band's songs. (Paste Magazine)

Awesome: A 24-hour ATM machine dispenses cupcakes. (Dvice) 

Awesome II: Vintage cats and dogs dressed as people. (BuzzFeed)

Awesome III: Art made from Oero cookies. (1 Design Per Day)

Mad Urbanism: Architect looking for investors and/or victims for his giant see-through maze. (Io9)

Panty Fight: Navajo Nation files a lawsuit against Urban Outfitters over the Navajo Hipster Panty. (Jezebel)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Pacific Lutheran University: The institution hires its 13^th president, who's not Lutheran. (News Tribune)

Point Ruston: The $150 million mixed-use retail and office complex will offer 3-D glasses and popcorn at its center. (News Tribune)

2012: Severe storms leave a trail of death and destruction through the Midwest. (CNN)

Gas At $5 A Gallon?: Major disruption in oil supplies could make it happen. (The New York Times)

Syria: Rebel fighters say they are tactically withdrawing from the besieged Baba Amr quarter of Homs after nearly a month of government shelling. (BBC)

140-Character Limbo: Where to tweets go when they die? (Mother Board)

Spread The Love: 13 Dr. Seuss pickup lines for your potential Sneech Muffin. (How About We)

Das Ist Sehr Gut: Star Wars yoga. (Thaeger)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Puyallup School District's Next Superintendent: Let's look at the candidates. (News Tribune)

Occupy Tacoma: In like a lion, out like a lamb. (News Tribune)

President Barack Obama's New Budget: It includes no new money for the Puyallup River study in 2013. (News Tribune)

Live Blog: Four students shot at Ohio high school. (CNN)

Afghanistan: Administration officials described growing concern about a drawdown by the United States that hinges on the close training of Afghan army and police forces. (The New York Times)

Oscars 2012: Live coverage of the Academy Awards ceremony. (The Guardian)

Oscars 2012: Complete list of winners. (USA Today)

Oscars 2012: The breakout star at the Academy Awards was Angelina Jolie's right leg. (BuzzFeed)

Golden Raspberry Awards 2012: Adam Sandler has received a record number of them. (Den Of Geek)

Run For Your Lives 5K: Runners will be chased by zombies. (The Mary Sue)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Gunman On The Run: Washington State Patrol trooper killed during traffic stop in Kitsap County. (News Tribune)

Tacoma Narrows Bridge Toll: Your neighbors are raising the toll at least one dollar. (News Tribune)

Port Of Tacoma: More stuff arrived in January. (News Tribune)

U.N. Report On Syria: Yup, gross human rights violations are going down in Syria. (The New York Times)

Marines Killed: Seven marines have been killed in a midair collision of two U.S. military helicopters in Arizona. (CNN)

Apple Vs. China: Apple wins trademark infringement case. (BBC)

Conan Report: He's doing well enough to get a contract extension. (New York Post)

Attention Nation: Stephen Colbert wants to talk to your kids via his book. (The Daily Beast)

Rocket Man: Justin Timberlake closer to starring as Elton John. (E Online)

Making The World A Better Place: Tank created with more than 5,000 egg cartons. (My Modern Met)

Down Dog: Yoga Mogul turns out to be a total scumbag. (Jezebel)

Keep Up the Good Fight