Old fashioned butcher shops are a rare find these days, but they do exist. Blue Max Meats in the Summit area of Puyallup is hand-cutting meats, smoking its own sausage and making delicious jerky and pepperoni, all with top-notch personalized customer service.

Formerly Blue Max Sausage Co., owners Evan Greco and Tommy Marshall bought the business in April, renaming it Blue Max Meats, a more accurate representation of their full offering of products. They now offer grass-fed beef, as well as hard to find alligator, frog legs and bison, with plans to add more game and exotic meats in the near future. Greco and Marshall have kept the recipes the same for the jerky and 20 types of sausage, but will be adding more selection.

For Greco, who had previously worked at Blue Max Sausage Co. for two years, it was a dream come true. "As a meat cutter, I believe the ultimate dream is to own and operate your own butcher shop. We were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to make that dream happen and we jumped right on it," he said. "We hope to build a strong local regular customer base as well as become a destination for a large variety of fresh, quality meats."

BLUE MAX MEATS, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, 9512 Canyon Road E., Summit, 253.535.6110

THURSDAY, APRIL 18 2013 >>>

1. Local saxophonist Kareem Kandi presents a musical gift to the South Sound at 7 p.m. Get this: Boarding a plane in New York bound for the Puyallup campus of Pierce College are trumpeter Lew Soloff (Blood, Sweat & Tears, Gil Evans, Tito Puente, Manhattan Jazz Quintet), bassist Essiet Essiet (Horizon, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Blue Note All-Stars) and drummer Sylvia Cuenca (Joe Henderson, Clark Terry) for a concert/workshop next Thursday. Plus, the respected guitarist/educator Milo Petersen from Seattle's Cornish College of The Arts will be in the house too. Those who hold jazz dear to their hearts know this is the real deal - especially when these talents will perform, tell stories and teach through questions. Oh yea, it's freakin' free.

2. The Puyallup Spring Fair opens at 2 p.m. today for a four-day run. Organizers say that this year's edition, while shorter than its late summer edition, is crammed with more attractions than ever. For urbanites who need convincing, here's a handy checklist: Monster Trucks Friday, demolitions Saturday-Sunday, Aussie Kingdom, KMPS Showcase featuring American Young, KidZone, James Wesley, Fiesta Mexicana, garden show, rides, fried foods and more. Go ahead: Leave your laptop behind, shimmy into that old pair of Wranglers, pull on those dusty cowboy boots, slap on a 10-gallon hat and prepare to spend yourself a day - or four - at this year's wingding.

3. Today marks the last day of Olympia Restaurant Week. Check out the list of restaurants; or flip through the menus. Ten Thurston County restaurants will be serving up special $25 three-course dinners, with some eateries offering a three-course lunch menu for $15.

4. It's the third Thursday of the month. In Tacoma, that's means an extra emphasis on the arts. Tonight's quest for art will lead you directly to the steps of science. That's right, the University of Puget Sound and Tacoma Art Museum have teamed up to present an Art+Science Salon - an evening of artists and scientists hugging it out at 6 p.m. inside the Tacoma Art Museum. Tonight, guest eco-artist Jackie Brookner will lead a panel discussion on art and ecological issues.

5. Speaking of third Thursday, tonight is the Tacoma Art Mingle, which was formerly called the Third Thursday Artwalk. Whatever the name of the special night, it's still very hard to walk the damn thing. For the last two-plus years Tacoma has had the Art Bus to rely on - the creation of T-Town's own Angela Jossy, and pretty much the bestest idea there ever was. Each third Thursday the Art Bus shuttles riders from gallery to gallery, venue to venue accomplishing more than any one person could ever dream of on foot, and at the same time building a communal vibe that's worth its weight in gold. Tonight's Art Bus celebrity host Tacoma City Councilperson Ryan Mello will help guide you through such stops as FabLab, 253 Collective, Embellish Multispace Salon, Crescent Moon Gifts, Proctor Arts Gallery, Throwing Mud Gallery and Catwalk. Tickets are $10 regular admission and $20 for VIPs. VIPs get gift bags with items from lots of local businesses. The Bus pushes off from the Tacoma Art Museum at 6 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, April 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area 

<<< VOTING CLOSED TUESDAY, APRIL 2 2013 >>>

For the last two weeks we presented you with a compelling question: what is the best sandwich in the South Sound? And you have responded in droves. Sick days have been used. Friendships have fallen apart. Meat slicers and cashiers  seeking comfort in new relationships - mass hysteria!

The competition has been whittled down to the Sliced 16. Yes, 16 South Sound sandwiches are poised to make the final push to the Final Four, which will be held Friday.

So, read up on yesterday's action, and then vote on the first four games of the Sliced 16. It's in your hands, mouth, and stomach, folks. Do us proud.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Beast of Burden (Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe, 3529 McKinley Ave. E., Tacoma) vs. Club (5th Avenue Sandwich Shop, 117 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia)

In perhaps the most hotly contested match of the tournament, scrappy gritty Top of Tacoma Bar and Olympia's 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop fought fiercely all day. Top of Tacoma led off strong with piles and piles of Angus roast beef and booze. 5th Avenue came to the table with its massive portions. As good as Top of Tacoma's Beast of Burden is, it's hard to compete with a specialty sandwich shop in a sandwich tournament, especially one that makes awesome sandwiches. 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop grabbed 53 percent of the votes yesterday and faces Eleven Eleven's Reuben tomorrow.

Game 2: Cuban Fish Sandwich (Asado, 2810 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Philly Cheesesteak Tempeh (Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia)

Asado started the game with a psychological ploy, as co-owner John Xitco cranked the Latin music, while dropping the Cuban Fish Sandwich back to set up its zone defense. A strong move that paid off. Le Voyeur, even with its Philly Cheesesteak Tempeh having a good day, couldn't keep up with Asado. The Sixth Avenue Argentinean restaurant ended up with 61 percent of the votes, and a seat in the Sliced 16.

Game 3: Farmhouse Philly (Dirty Oscar's Annex, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. The Chief (Sparks Firehouse Deli, 621 Fifth St., Puyallup)

Who put the fire out? Dirty Oscar's and its Farmhouse Philly did. Dirty Oscars, while not a sandwich-serving joint, does make an awesome Philly. That said, what might be Dirty Oscar's biggest advantage is experience. The Sixth Avenue restaurant made it to the championship game last year in the Tournament of Breakfast. It knows how to rally the troops, and when to back off the moonshine at the right moment. With 56 percent of the votes, the Farmhouse Philly moves into the Sliced 16 to face STINK's Stinker tomorrow.

Game 4: Banh Mi (Pho King, 1020 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma) vs. Hot Italian Sub (Meconi's Pub, 709 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

Neither Pho King nor Meconi's Pub came out for post game interviews. Both restaurants left it on the court yesterday. The "Bread Guy" from BOTH restaurants collapsed after the final buzzer sounded. One vote. One vote is what Meconi's Pub beat Pho King by on the scoreboard. How in the hell will Meconi's fire up its Hot Italian Sub for its game tomorrow with Vuelve a la Vida's Steak Torta. Meconi's will need to summon every spirit residing in its downtown Tacoma historical building. It will need every bit of its happy hour too.

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

• 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop's Club
• Asado's Cuban Fish Sandwich
• Dirty Oscar's Farmhouse Philly
• Meconi's Pub's Hot Italian Sub

>>> The daily sandwich battles here on Spew are sponsored by Subway in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

OK, let's check out today's Sliced 16 sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich joint per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

<<< VOTING CLOSED MONDAY, APRIL 1 2013 >>>

Everyone has their least favorite Easter treat - you know, the stuff you find in your basket year after year despite never liking the stuff, never eating it, and even leaving ol' Easter Bunny a note kindly suggesting he spend a little more time on the candy aisle next year, or risk stepping on a strategically placed back-ho during the egg-hiding process.

What? Just us?

Yesterday, thankfully, our Easter baskets were filled with sandwiches. In fact, a good chunk of the South Sound added sandwiches to their Easter munching. Yesterday's Tournament of Sandwiches' vote total nearly doubled the previous record high for most votes in the day. In fact, the voting got so intense in the early afternoon that it broke our little website. Our web dudes had to be pulled away from egg hunts to fix it.

Today, there are four new South Sound sandwich games up for vote. Before you vote, take a gander at yesterday's results. Woah.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Jake's Sandwich (Dirty Dave's, 3939 Martin way E., Olympia) vs. Reuben (Eleven Eleven, 1111 S. 11^th St., Tacoma)

Wha huh? Were all the Dirty Dave's supporters napping, or haven't they discovered the Internet yet? The popular pizza parlor was edged out by the fairly new Eleven Eleven by 50 votes yesterday. Dirty Dave's has a salad bar Eleven Eleven could only dream of. Doesn't matter. The Reuben is awesome and enters the Sliced 16.

Game 2: Fishwich (Spar Tavern, 2121 N. 30th St., Tacoma) vs. Lobster Sandwich (Oliver's Sandwiches, 900 Meridian Ave. E., Milton)

Honestly, the Spar Tavern never had a chance in this one. In a day of voting that shattered all previous Tournament of Sandwiches records, Oliver's Sandwiches was likely the catalyst - grabbing more than 90 percent of the votes. Take a moment to digest that performance. If it's a sign of things to come, the Lobster Sandwich - which amazingly entered the tournament as a ninth seed - has the taste to go far in the tournament. Crazy, man. Just crazy.

Game 3: Frenchy Ham & Cheese (Babblin' Babs Bistro, 2724 N. Proctor St., Tacoma) vs. Stinker (STINK - Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma)

In perhaps the most hotly contested match yesterday, French-style bistro Babblin' Babs had its beret knocked off by the house of gourmet mac 'n' cheese, STINK. Babblin' Babs came out strong backed by a solid Easter breakfast crowd. STINK came to the table with its grilled peanut butter, blackberry preserves, bacon and blue cheese. As good as the Frenchy Ham & Cheese is - and it's quite delicious - you can't compete with ingredients peanut butter, bacon and blue cheese on their own, let alone combined. STINK moves on to the Sliced 16 after squeaking by with 56 percent of the votes.

Game 4: Steak Torta (Vuelve a la Vida, 5310 Pacific Ave., Tacoma) vs. Italian Grinder (Shamrock Tavern, 11118 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma)

In the battle of Pacific Avenue, Vuelve's Steak Torta edged out Shamrock's Italian Grinder with 60 percent of the votes. Could the fact the Shamrock Tavern is still recovering from St. Patrick's Day? Whatever, what's done is done. The Steak Torta moves to the Sliced 16.

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

• Eleven Eleven's Reuben
• Oliver's Sandwiches's Lobster Sandwich
• STINK - Cheese & Meat's Stinker
• Vuelve a la Vida's Steak Torta

>>> The daily sandwich battles here on Spew are sponsored by Subway in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

OK, let's check out today's Second Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich joint per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

<<< VOTING CLOSED SATURDAY, MARCH 30 2013 >>>

Now it's getting exciting. The mustard is really starting to fly, and the salami is getting so thick you could cut it with a knife (OK, so that's a horrible analogy ...).

Point is: This is serious.

Yesterday, Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Sandwiches officially kicked off its Second Round, meaning only 32 South Sound pizza joints remain, and the competition is as hot as ever. Who will be crowned champ on April 8? The path to sandwich greatness has been forged.

Here's a look at today's Tournament of Sandwiches action and a recap of yesterday's results. Shake some garlic pepper on it if you know what's good for you and get rolling.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Mike's Deluxe (MSM Deli, 2220 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Cheesy British (Doyle's Public House, 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma)

In a battle of T-town institutions, not surprisingly the institution well known for its delicious sandwiches emerged decisively victorious - with MSM Deli's Mike Deluxe cruising to victory and securing roughly 79 percent of the vote by the time things were said and done. Luckily for all of us, Doyle's Public House doesn't need the Tournament of Sandwiches to get by ... it's got Irish whiskey, English football, not to mention a grubbin' Cheesy British. The high-powered MSM Deli moves on to the Sliced 16.

Game 2: Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Melt (Lobster Shop, 4015 Ruston Way, Tacoma) vs. Heart Smart Art (The Swiss, 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma)

We suspect The Lobster Shop pushed hard its Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Melt during this match up. We're talking incredible seafood flavor on a toasted croissant. It was a bold move for the Shop not to play its waterfront hand, which it no doubt will need when it faces Mike's Deluxe in the Sliced 16. With 63 percent of the votes over the popular Swiss and its Heart Smart Art, the Lobster Shop moves on.

Game 3: Monte Cristo (Moon Rise Café, 6020 Main St. SW, Lakewood) vs. Turkey BLT (The Hub, 203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma)

Did the Moon Rise Café rest on its Tournament of Breakfast championship laurels? Could be, although its Monte Cristo speaks for itself. There isn't a better one in the South Sound. The Hub has Harmon Beers - a lot of them. And a lovely outdoor dining space. It also has an amazing Turkey BLT, which rose to the occasion and grabbed 58 percent of the votes yesterday in fierce Tournament of Sandwiches action. Congratulations Turkey BLT. You move into the Sliced 16.

Game 4: El Cubano (Metropolitan Market, 2420 N. Proctor St., Tacoma) vs. The Cubana (El Zocalo Tortas Y Bakery, 701 S. 38th St., Tacoma)

They are worlds apart. Spunky El Zocalo Tortas Y Bakery flirts with being dubbed a "hole in the wall" with bare essential interior design and ultra bright lighting. Metropolitan Market is a fancy, lively space filled with grazers and shoppers with fancy cars and designer sweatpants. But El Zocalo has gigantic sandwiches and a Cubana that is packed with exotic meats, eggs, cheese and sweet onions. And since this isn't the Tournament of Interiors, El Zocalo has the edge and 51 percent of the votes, enough for it to move on to the Sliced 16.

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

• MSM Deli's Mike's Deluxe
• The Lobster Shop's Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Melt
• The Hub's Turkey BLT
• El Zocalo Tortas Y Bakery's The Cubana

>>> The daily sandwich battles here on Spew are sponsored by Subway in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

OK, let's check out today's Second Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich joint per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

<<< VOTING CLOSED FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 28 2013 >>>

A week ago we began pitting 64 of the South Sound's best sandwiches - voted in by the Weekly Volcano readers - in head-to-head battles. Today marks the end of First Round action. The last eight sandwiches will enter the area bright eyed and fresh. At the end of the day, four sandwiches will join the other winning 28 sandwiches in the Second Round, four will pick up the crumbs and go home. This is a tournament, folks, not a playoff. Each match is do or die - one misstep and you're out of the dance. Leave the bread out on the counter a little too long, forget to add lettuce, and you can pack your sandwich bag and go home.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Cuban Fish Sandwich (Asado, 2810 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Albacore Tuna Po'Boy (Tides Tavern, 2925 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor)

In a battle over the Narrows Bridge, Asado cruised to victory and securing roughly 60 percent of the vote by the time things were said and done. This one was over early, and the pummeling lasted all day. Luckily for all of us, Tide's Tavern doesn't need the Tournament of Sandwiches to get by ... it has an awesome deck, not to mention a grubbin' Albacore Tuna Po-Boy. The high-powered Asado moves on to Second Round action.

Game 2: Philly Cheesesteak Tempeh (Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia) vs. Egg Salad Sandwich (Steilacoom Pub & Grill, 1202 Rainier St., Steilacoom)

In a back and forth matchup pitting two fairly evenly matched competitors (at least in the eyes of voters, it seems), Le Voyeur was eventually able to pull ahead of the Egg Salad Sandwich at the Steilacoom Pub thanks to a late run - grabby 52 percent of the votes. The loss has to be especially tough for Steilacoom Pub, as they entered the Tournament of Sandwiches with plenty of hype, mainly coming from, well, the entire town of Steilacoom. That said, Le Voyeur thanks its lucky stars every time it makes a bank deposit for the damaged livers of Evergreen students, and it has its eclectic music scene, so the fact it's moving on to the second round isn't shocking. You can't question Le Voyeur's following, and sometimes a following is just what it takes in the Tournament of Sandwiches.

Game 3: Farmhouse Philly (Dirty Oscar's Annex, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Notorious P.I.G. (The Ram, 3001 Ruston Way, Tacoma)

It would have been an upset of monumental proportion had The Ram somehow managed to defeat Dirty Oscar's Annex, but - alas - it was never meant to be. Dirty Oscar's dominated from tip-off to the final seconds yesterday, collecting votes at almost a three to one ratio and securing 73 percent of the votes. Rock stars and moonshine lovers unite - Dirty Oscar's will not be denied!

Game 4: The Chief (Sparks Firehouse Deli, 621 Fifth St., Puyallup) vs. Jan's Mufalletta (Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante, 2207 N. Pearl St., Tacoma)

Everyone loves a good comeback, and this may have been one of the better clutch performances in the (obviously short) history of the Tournament of Sandwiches. Down by a substantial margin by midday, Sparks Firehouse was able to rally the troops at halftime, and by the time the final buzzer sounded the Puyallup deli had walked away with an impressive victory, racking up 57 percent of the vote. Next up for Sparks' Chief sandwich, a Second Round dogfight with Dirty Oscar's Farmhouse Philly. ...

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

• Asado's Cuban Fish Sandwich
• Le Voyeur's Philly Cheesesteak Tempeh
• Dirty Oscar's Farmhouse Philly
• Sparks Firehouse's The Chief

The daily sandwich battles here on Spew are sponsored by Subway in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

OK, let's check out today's First Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich joint per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 23 2013 >>>

1. Copenhagen's young punkers Iceage will bring its Polaroid-picture-fuzzy punk - that draws from Fugazi's neo-classicism and Gang of Four's bounce - to Olympia's Capitol Theater at 9 p.m. If you want to know what the next round of American punk bands will sound like, attend this show.

2. Judy Cullen rocked the Tacoma theater community when she stepped down from her role at artistic director of Tacoma Little Theatre in 2006, an organization she served in many capacities since 1993. Thankfully, she didn't leave the area. In fact, you can see, and hear, her today at 2 p.m. She'll be reading from the recently released A Trio of Irish Tales, as well as from the about-to-be-released Reflections from The Golden Wheel, inside the Mason United Methodist Church in Tacoma.

3. The 2nd Annual Museum of Glass Slider Cook-Off will consume the Museum of Glass tonight beginning at 6:30 p.m. With nine local restaurants bringing creativity to the table to compete for the title of best slider, attendees will taste their way through the competition, dance to Daryl & the Diptones, and enjoy games and live glassblowing by artist John Miller, who is also creating the trophies. Newcomers Marrow Kitchen and Bar, Boathouse 19, Art House Café and Brix 25 will be competing against returning restaurants Asado, BITE Restaurant and Bar, Dirty Oscar's Annex, The Social Bar and Grill and Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge. Read Adrienne Kuehl's full feature on the event in the Weekly Volcano's Restaurants section.

4. Joel Sartore travels the world photographing rare and endangered animals in some of the planet’s most wild and pristine places. His images are stunning; his stories mesmerizing; his job awesome. He’s an acclaimed National Geographic photographer who captivates his audiences with the same enthusiasm and excitement with which he captures his subjects. Sartore will pack his lifetime of photography experience and passion for animals into a special appearance at Puyallup High School from 7 to 9 p.m., thanks to the folks at Northwest Trek.

5. Ich Hunger is a German expressionist freakout concerning a "creature boy" who lives in the forests of Germany and eats people. At 9 p.m., as if Ich Hunger wasn't visually and aurally stimulating enough, the film will be screened along with musical accompaniment by the onslaught of local garage-rockers Red Hex (featuring Isaac's brother, Sam Olsen), as well as original electronic music. Afterward, the melted brains of the audience will be invited to disco dance. It all goes down at The New Frontier Lounge.

PLUS: The UPS Flea Market, Olympia Youth Chorus, Edgar Martinez, hypnotist Ron Stubbs and Jobe Himself in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: Saturday, March 23 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

South Sound Sidekick series offers advice from experts living in the, well, South Sound. It posts every Friday. Today, Kevin Smyth has advice on how to raise a rock star. Smyth teaches history and English at Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup. He knows a thing or two about teenagers - especially ones that want to be rock stars. He's the father of two sons, including Patrick Galactic of the Tacoma band Death By Stars.

Kevin Smyth writes,

When my son was 3 he was already an entertainer singing and dancing on coffee tables to whatever was on MTV or the radio.  It should have been clear to me - even then - that my dream he'd earn his PhD in French medieval history from Stanford was probably illusory. Today he's 33 and playing in a local band poised for commercial success. It's been a long road pitted with potholes for him and me.  I have a few tips that might get you through those early awful years when you're ready to kill them and they're ready to kill you.

1. It's gonna be loud

If your kid's serious they'll want to practice. No, I don't just mean the crap they'll do if they take lessons; they'll want to play all the time. You'll buy 'em a quiet little practice amp, but it won't be enough. They'll rock their siblings' world when you're away. They'll literally drive the pets up the wall. The neighbors will complain. They'll want to practice with their band mates in your garage. My advice: don't surrender, negotiate. Establish some times when it's OK to practice. Have a realistic conversation about noise levels. Determine whether it's even possible for his band to practice in your neighborhood without triggering some horrible homeowner's association sanction. If it is, be sure to take a half rack of really good beer over to your neighbors and be prepared to apologize regularly for the noise. Don't make the mistake of making it so hard your rock and roller feels they can only play at somebody else's house. Keeping your options open means you can keep an eye on your future star. And get earplugs, really good earplugs.

DEATH BY STARS: Patrick galactice on the left. Photo courtesy of Facebook

2. You gotta believe

Becoming a rock star is really hard. There are a whole lotta people saying "No!" You're not good enough! You're not old enough! You don't fit in with our target audience! Your band is full of high school seniors and everyone is going off to college but you. If this is the life they've chosen, it's really tough. So when those moments happen when your kid and his buddies get those gigs, you gotta be there. Even if it's a roach-infested, smoke-impregnated dive, you have to go and show your support. Look, you went to those horrible orchestra concerts in fifth-grade didn't you? All those Saturday morning soccer games standing in the November rain, remember when you were there? These are at least as important, not only to offer confidence, but for head count. Bands only get gigs if they can bring in their peeps. You have to buy their CDs, and you persuade family members and friends to go to shows and buy CDs. But in the end it's worth it to see your kid perform, to see him adored, even if the crowds are small and it isn't Madison Square Garden. 

3. It's not your dream

This was the hardest lesson for me to learn. I teach high school history and English. My son is every bit as smart and a better writer than me. I dreamed of him getting into a great school and using his amazing mind to be, well, amazing with his first rate education. His dream was to be Thom Yorke or Gene Simmons or Kurt Cobain. We had heated arguments about all the important questions - why, when, how, you name it and the answers were never satisfactory. The more we pressed, the more strident the rebellion became. "What if you don't make it, what if you can't be a rock star, what's your back up plan?" That was my favorite question. Every time I asked it was like lighting a match near a leaking gas main. I still have scars. But the bottom line is my son has given himself a solid education about the profession of being a musician. He's taught himself to play multiple instruments; he's learned the business of band management and understands the marketplace of live music in the Puget Sound region. He's developed an outstanding work ethic. It's important to have dreams, and I'm proud that he stuck to his.

4. Be the parent, but be patient

I know what you're thinking. How could you let your kid bulldoze you? I'd never let mine get away with this. That's a fair criticism. It's critical that you act like a parent to set effective limits. Drug and alcohol use are not OK. You have to finish school. You want a new guitar, a new amp - that swell new effects box? How are you going to pay for it? Bring your budding superstar into the conversation, set some guidelines and limits you both can agree to and enforce them, with logical consequences when they cross the line. But let go of the silly things. Hair length and hair color? That's big, really? Clothing? Do you want people telling you what to wear on your own time? Offer your help to transport your rocker and his equipment. Your support will buy lots of good will. If he was playing in the Northwest Sinfonietta, or playing for a U-17 select soccer team would you say no? Expect there will be bumps along the way. Kids are kids. They make mistakes including poor choices. Hold him accountable, but don't give a death sentence. Your patience will pay dividends down the road.

Though my plan for my son was to get a really good education, my dream was always that he would have choices to do whatever he wanted to do in his life. Education can help you do that. Talent and determination can do that for you too. I always planned to attend his Stanford commencement, watch him walk up and take his diploma and scream in delight with the whole family. Last week I sat in my empty classroom and listened to the radio as his band played live on the Bob Rivers show in front a hundred thousand listeners. They never sounded better; he was living his dream and I couldn't have been more proud.

LINK: How to be a scenester

LINK: How to be a bartender

LINK: How to manage a band from your office cubicle without getting fired

LINK: How to tell if you're clown material

LINK: Make film gore with household items

LINK: Parenting advice for punk rockers

LINK: How to improve your photography skills

LINK: Get fit the Dungeons and Dragons way

LINK: More South Sound Sidekick advice

A comforting drink is just what we crave during this rainy time of the year. When it comes with an excellent bite, even better. Here are several noteworthy South Sound drink and food pairings.

Jameson pairing

Thursday, April 18 Chef-owner Tom Pantley of ToscanosCafe & Wine Bar hosts a Jameson Irish Whiskey pairing dinner at 6:30 p.m. Four Jameson whiskeys - including a rare 18-year-old whiskey - will pair with Pantley's talents. Let's break it down:

• Jameson Irish Whiskey - Thyme and Sweet Vermouth Poached Salmon Sliders;
• Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey - Mushroom Ravioli with whiskey and butter sauce;
• Red Breast 12 Year Irish Whiskey - Prosciutto Wrapped Beef Steak, Fig Sauce, Fried Potatoes and Onions;
• Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve - Chocolate Toffee Torte.

The cost is $79 per person, tax and gratuity included. Reserve your spot at 253.864.8600.

Kestrel meets Dirty Oscar's

March 26 and 27, Dirty Oscar's Annex will hold its monthly pairing dinner, this version featuring Chef Aaron Grissom's new twists on American dishes paired with Kestrel Vintners. The menu is still a mystery, but the $50 dinner always sells out. Reserve your spot at 253.572.0588.

Taste Tacoma

Maxwell's Speakeasy and Lounge will host the Taste Tacoma food and drink pairing dinner Thursday, April 11. A matrimony of beer and wine from Tacoma winery 21 Cellars and the brewmasters of Wingman Brewers will match with a seven-course dining experience, which will include artisan cheeses from Backcountry Creamery and organic produce and eggs from Terry's Berries. The cost is $85 per person. Reserve your space at 253.683.4115.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

FUTURE THINGS ARE COMING >>>

Country's reigning diva next door - the one who made a first impression by way of American Idol and "Jesus Take the Wheel" - Carrie Underwood will perform Friday, Sept. 13 at the Washington State Fair. Are her songs about sassy takedowns of not-to-be-trusted guys, a traumatized young women willing a tornado to pulverize her boozing and the arena-scale murder ballad about a wife and a mistress conspiring against a two-timing man too edgy for the Fair?

Ask Kid Rock who has performed at the Fair.

Carrie Underwood tickets are $95, $85, $65, $45 with reserved seating, and include Fair gate admission, unless noted. Tickets are available Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m. at www.thefair.com/concerts or 888.559.3247 daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Washington State Fair Box Office at Ninth at Ninth Avenue SW and Meridian Street on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.