Today is national Go Skateboarding Day, where skateboarders around the globe celebrate the pure exhilaration, creativity, and spirit of one of the most influential activities in the world by blowing off all other obligations to go ... skateboarding. OK, most skateboarders do this every day of their lives, but this is just one more reason to blow off your television/computer/video games and go skateboarding.

In 2009, the City of Tacoma authorized the removal of hundreds of metal skateboard stoppers from Thea's Park, essentially legalizing skating within the park's boundaries. In 2011, the city took steps to change a decades-old ban on using a skateboard as a transportation device in the downtown area.

Saturday, June 21, hundreds of Tacoma skateboards will crowd Tollefson Plaza in celebration of the worldwide celebration. The Alchemy Indoor sponsored Go Skate Tacoma invites skateboarders of all ages to pop shuvits down the stairs, grinds on the boxes and cruising the smooth ground without fear of retribution from the dreaded Five-O. In fact, Tacoma Police will be on hand to make sure the one-day event runs smoothly.

Grab your helmet, tighten your wheels and spend a day popping ollies in Tollefson Plaza with fellow skateboarders - or at least look cool on the sidelines while you watch everyone else.

Schedule of Events

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free skate clinic (sign up at alchemyindoor.com)
• 2-3 p.m. Slopestyle competition and open plaza skate
• 3-6 p.m. Competition (17 and younger, 18+, 35+, Best Trick Ramp/Street, Hippie Jump/High Ollie), open skate sessions slopestyle slide jam and regular comps
• 7 p.m. After Party with music by A Leaf, Wheelies and Rockwell Powers at Grit City Grindhouse

When it comes to street skateboarding, Torey Pudwill and Joey Brezinski are some of the best on the board with four wheels.

Both young men visited Joint Base Lewis-McChord yesterday to autograph posters at the Base Exchange before heading over to the Skate Plaza to work and interact with about 150 youngsters.

Red Bull and JBLM's Family, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Directorate sponsored the visit.

"We've worked on making this event happen for quite a while," commented Carly Michael, sponsorship director for MWR.

"Tonight should be a lot of fun for everyone here."

>>> Joey Brezinski talks with a skateboarder while Torey Pudwill autographs a poster.  Sponsored by Red Bull and brought to JBLM by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate, the two are world-class skateboarders. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

>>> Young skateboarders at JBLM's Skate Plaza cheer a move by Joey Brezinski. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

As skateboarding gained popularity during the 1980s and 1990s, skateboarders began to perform tricks in urban areas by using existing urban features to perform acrobatic stunts.

Pudwill and Brezinski continue to promote the sport.

Named the Best Street Skater at the 2011 Trans World Skateboarding Awards and a third place finisher at the 2013 X Games in Street League Skateboarding, Pudwill is passionate about the sport.

"I work hard and skate every day because it's something that I do for fun," he said during a break in signing autographs.

"I'm just trying to get kids to be as stoked for skateboarding as I was as a kid."

>>> Joey Brezinski gets ready to skateboard with JBLM boarders. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

Often referred to as the "Manual King" for his ability to balance his board on two wheels, Brezinski created the first ever "manual based contest" and has since become a force to be reckoned with winning four of the last six contests since 2007.

"It's just great to be here, meet these kids and have a great time," he said as he watched the action. 

"There is definitely some talent here at JBLM."

MONDAY, JUNE 16 2014 >>>

1. Every year, more than 30 street bands from around the nation converge in Seattle for Honk! Fest West. Olympia's Rhythm and Rye will be hosting a rowdy Pre-Honk! primer with two of its favorite Honk! bands: The Bucharest Drinking Team and Artesian Rumble Arkestra June 16. The Bucharest Drinking Team, a band that borrows stylistically from great Balkan brass bands such as Fanfare Ciocarlia and Boban Markovic, mixes in a liberal shot of Romanian folk music and a penchant for '80s disco from behind the Iron Curtain to bring you a high-proof Eastern Bloc Party, complete with dancing, drinking, and music. The utterly delightful punk marching band Artesian Rumble Arkestra play a variety of jazz standards and atypical covers reflecting the broad diversity of its members' favorite music: samba, rock, Balkan, New Orleans, gospel, reggae and pop. This will be a sight to see ... and hear.

2. Ghana knocked the Americans out of the last two World Cups with 2-1 victories, beating the Americans in group play in the 2006 tournament and in extra time during the round of 16 four years ago. Only four Americans who appeared in the 2010 match are likely to start: goalkeeper Tim Howard, midfielder Michael Bradley and forwards Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore. USA takes on Ghana at 3 p.m. today. Doyle's Public House has a sweet setup to watch the match.

3. A couple of beer events happen today. Pint Defiance hosts notable craft brewer David Walker of Firestone Walker Brewing Co. to discuss beer and sign bottles from 3-5 p.m. Expect Union Jack and DBA on tap, Stickee Monkee Barrel-Aged Central Coast Quad bottles and a rare keg of Barrelworks Li'l Opal Blended Oak-Aged Saison, which was released April 19. The Twisted Kilt Irish Pub in Puyallup will serve 99-cent beers whenever the U.S. scores against Ghana during World Cup action.

4. The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson's latest and eighth feature overall, is clearly a very Wes Anderson film, complete with many of the idiosyncrasies that make his work distinctive and, to some, excessively precious: quirky, deadpan humor; characters communicating via handwritten letters; richly detailed and meticulously arranged production design; the presence of Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, and Owen Wilson. Catch the film at 4 and 8:40 in The Grand Cinema, or 6:30 p.m. at the Capitol Theater.

5. Phoenix garage punk band The Rebel Set and Sacramento folkadelic band Honyock rock Le Voyeur at 10 p.m.

LINK: Monday, June 16 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, JUNE 12 2014 >>>

1. Steel Creek American Whiskey Company kicks off its three-day, one-year anniversary celebration with a bull-riding contest and line dancing. Enjoy drink specials, but practice moderation so you can partake in all of the fun that requires hand-eye coordination. If not, the whiskey fueled shenanigans can be just another hazy memory. Get the chance to work on your "boot scootin' boogie" with free line dance lessons or hop on the mechanical bull and hang on for dear life - cash and swag prizes go to whomever walks away the bull-riding champion. Read Jackie Fender's feature story on Steel Creek's anniversary and new menu.

2. Doyle's Public House in Tacoma's Stadium District has erected a 4,400 sq. ft. tent in its neighboring parking lot, placing two, 20-foot screens on opposite ends to the 2014 World Cup games, which launches today. There will be raised seating on both sides of the tent to provide better sight lines as well as increased standing room. A centrally located bar will make it easy to quench your thirst. Doyle's co-owner Russ Heaton has some thoughts on the World Cup.

Northwest author Brian Doyle will discuss his new novel, The PLOVER, at 7 p.m. in the Puyallup Public Library. Doyle's appearance marks the kick-off for the Puyallup Public Library's Adult Summer Reading program, which officially begins June 16 and runs through Aug. 16. Doyle's book is about searching for something on a boat in the Pacific Ocean. Like we're going to tell you.

4. Connecticut poppy and punk/emo band Spit-Take, featuring members of Heats of Formation and Secret Parts brings its Wipers, Lemonheads and Jawbreaker inspired music to Le Voyeur for a 7 p.m. all-ages show with Snow Roller.

5. Erick Olson, Matt Johnston and Jason Riley are Forces, a band too weird to live and too rare to die. The electronic rock band will play The Swiss with PYP, Vaughan and DJ Mernsivich at 8 p.m.

LINK: Thursday, June 12 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Olympia has gone and done it again. It has outshone itself by coming out in droves to support the creativity and compassion that go hand-in-hand in the little college town.

Oly CLAW, the local chapter of the Collective of Lady Arm Wrestlers, made its debut before a packed Le Voyeur crowd Friday night, as a benefit for SafePlace. The group raised more than $1,600.

"We raised $1,628 in one night, at the fucking Voyeur in Olympia, WA. If that is not the definition of community support and love, then I am going to misappropriate that money, buy a book burning mobile, and head to the library to destroy all the dictionaries on the shelves," said John Manini, aka Mickey the Mouth, who played emcee for the event.

>>> Tammy Turnbuckle and crew party at Le Voyeur, May 30. Photo credit: Heather Michelle Burns

>>> Cold As Isis dance party before arm wrestling action at Le Voyeur. Photo credit: Heather Michelle Burns

>>> Elly Slay Clamp-It and Vegan Villain in the house. Photo credit: Lock and Key Photography

The back room of Le Voyeur was transformed into an underground fight club, with elbow-to-elbow bench seats, fans flying signs for their favorites and wresters throwing veggies and beer cans into the energetic crowd.

"The audience was the best," said Manini. "They were a perfectly mixed cocktail of supportive and surprised. They knew going in they wanted to like it even if they weren't sure what they were getting, and then we went and knocked them on their asses. It was so incredibly satisfying to hear consistent raucous applause, chanting, cheering and all sorts of engagement from start to finish."

>>> Jugalette fuels for her match. Photo credit: Lock and Key Photography

>>> Ivana KrushU psychs opponents out. Photo credit: Lock and Key Photography

Entourages escorted the costumed wrestlers to the front of the room, where the ladies flexed and failed until one competitor remained: Ivana KrushU. Ivana was crowned winner with Marie Armtoinette pulling second and the Vegan Villain taking in fan favorite.

Oly CLAW plans on having events every few months. Stay tuned for upcoming dates. To find out more about Olympia's awesome non-profit SafePlace, click here.

>>> Elly Clamp-It and Marie Armtoinette square off at the Oly CLAW match at Le Voyeur, May 30. Photo credit: Heather Michelle Burns

THURSDAY, JUNE 5 2014 >>>

1. Portland band Ages and Ages, without getting all touchy-feely, has eschewed apathy in favor of forthright optimism. Like the Arcade Fire did a decade ago, Ages and Ages recruit their entire band to sing at once, less for the sensation of catharsis, and more for the feeling of togetherness. Isn't it still sort of remarkable that all of these people have gathered together for a united experience of musical revelry? This magic seems to have gotten left behind, long ago, and now we all sit in cynical judgment of an art form that chiefly means to enrich. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's features on Ages and Ages in the Music & Culture section, then catch them with Stephen Steinbrink and French Quarter and Oh Rose! at 8 p.m. in Northern.

2. Tacoma Green Drinks provides a social and networking opportunity for Tacoma-Pierce County residents interested in sustainability, conservation, environmental issues and booze! Join them at 6 p.m. when they hang at Chamber Bay Grill to learn about the awesome happenings of the Tacoma Audubon ... over drinks.

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 the Narrows Brewing Co.

4. Amazon employee Tom Nissley ended an eight-episode Jeopardy winning streak in December 2010 when he answered a question about American landmarks incorrectly. Alex Trebek asked: "Finding the spot for this memorial caused its creator to say, ‘America will march along that skyline.'" All three contestants wagered the correct answer was the Lincoln Memorial. "Oh, I'm sorry. The correct answer is Mount Rushmore." (Audience moans.) Don't feel too bad for Nissley. He won more than $250,000, making him the game show's third biggest winner. This personable, bookworm specimen from the next phase of human evolution will be at University Place Pierce County Library at 7 p.m., signing his book, A Reader's Book of Days, and generally reminding you what a moron you are by comparison.

5. Want to watch bands exchange CDs then listen to a band that melds reggae, hip-hop metal and funk? Good news!  Ted Brown Music presents the North & South CD Swap Meet Networking Party from 7-9 p.m. at Louie G's Pizza, followed by a live performance by The Approach.

LINK: Thursday, June 5 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

The Vince Lombardi Trophy has always signified a city's - and a community's - worldly accomplishment, but it doesn't always represent an entire state like it did May 29 when the trophy came to Camp Murray as part of the Seattle Seahawks' "Heroes of 12" trophy tour.

"This was a well put together event to help build the morale of our service members as well as to strengthen our community outreach efforts with the Seahawks organization," said Assistant Adjutant General for the Washington National Guard, Brig. Gen. Wallace Turner. "It was a pleasure not only seeing the trophy, but also seeing hundreds of servicemembers and their families connecting with one another throughout the day."

The Super Bowl 48-winning team's Vince Lombardi Trophy took a two-day "Heroes of 12"trip May 28 and 29, first visiting active duty servicemembers on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, followed by a trip across the I-5 highway the following day to the Washington National Guard Headquarters on Camp Murray.

>>> The Vince Lombard Trophy appearance at the Washington National Guard's Arsenal Museum brought in hundreds of servicemembers, including family members, to pose with the trophy. Photo credit: Gary Lott

>>> Seagal Taylor adds her signature to the hundreds of other servicemember's signatures on the same 12th Man Flag that flew on the Camp Murray flagpole during the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl playoff run. Every servicemember that posed with the Vince Lombardi Trophy added their signature to the 12th Man Flag. Photo credit: Gary Lott

The Seahawks and the "12" community that so proudly supports it, whether here at home or in the camps in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq, have a big impact on the service members that serve Washington state.

Those unfamiliar with the National Guard may not be familiar with the fact that these citizen-soldiers are exactly that: soldiers and citizens of Washington state. Many were born here, raised here and will most likely, one day be buried here.

Encountering servicemembers who weren't Seahawks fans may have been a surprise to some, but those who truly know the family bonds that these citizen-soldiers hold wouldn't find a single reason why another city's fan, a different state's fan even, would be at an event where family members, friends and fellow servicemembers joined together as a community to have a good time.

>>> The Washington National Guard's Assistant Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Wallace Turner presents Seahawks Fan Development Assistant Director Armando Mejia and the Seahawks organization with a certificate of appreciation for their support of the Washington National Guard. Photo credit: Gary Lott

The Camp Murray trophy event even managed to raise more than $1,100 for the Minuteman Emergency Assistance Fund, the Washington National Guard Arsenal Museum and National Guard Association of Washington Education Scholarship, which most frequently benefits the families of service members serving Washington state.

Along with more than 450 people at the JBLM event the day prior, more than 500 people showed up to the Camp Murray event.

But this event wasn't just about the trophy: Seagals Christian and Taylor accompanied the trophy, posed with servicemembers and took time to mingle while enjoying the "tailgating" event area set up by the Joint Services Support Directorate outside of the Arsenal Museum.

The "tailgating" event was comprised of various games - supervised by the Washington National Guard's Recruiting & Retention Battalion - a hot dog lunch and a National Guard Association and American Lake Credit Union-conducted raffle, with the main draw item a Richard Sherman-signed football.

>>> Spec. Samson Anderson (Washington National Guard Recruiting & Retention Battalion takes a selfie with Seagal Christian during the Camp Murray Vince Lombardi Trophy Tailgate event. The tailgate event was set up outside of the Arsenal Museum, where servicemembers could pose with the Seahawks Super Bowl trophy. Photo credit: Gary Lott

>>> Lt. Col. Thomas Wargo, Deputy G3, Mobilization and Readiness, enjoys a game of Spike Ball with guard youth during the tailgating portion of the Camp Murray Vince Lombardi Trophy event at Camp Murray May 29. Photo credit: Gary Lott

"Today's ‘Heroes of 12' tour at Camp Murray provided another opportunity to rally soldiers, families and friends of the Washington National Guard team to celebrate the winning culture of the Seattle Seahawks championship team," said Joint Services Support Director Lt. Col. Don Brewer.

The Seahawks' winning culture is one that the Washington National Guard is continuously working hard to establish and maintain.

"The soldiers, airmen and families of the Washington National Guard benefit greatly from the generous contributions of our community partners, like the Seattle Seahawks," Brewer said. "The level of commitment and care that these partners hold for those who have served our State and Nation is something that will always astound me."

SEE ALSO

Washington National Guard played big role in Seahawks' Super Bowl Championship parade

Beginning today, about 2,800 participants from across Washington state will compete in the 41st annual Washington Special Olympics at Joint Base Lewis McChord. The opening ceremony of the three-day event took place last night in JBLM's Hangar 1. Army Staff Sgt. Dayan Neely with the 20th Public Affairs Detachment was at the ceremony. JBLM has been hosting the Special Olympics for more than 40 years, with sports like swimming, soccer, track and field, powerlifting, and cycling. According to Neely, "Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza, I Corps commander, was a keynote speaker at the ceremony. Quoting the Seattle Seahawks' head coach, Pete Carroll, Lanza said, ‘If you wanna win for the rest of your life, you've gotta compete.' This set the tone for the athletes and supporters throughout the rest of the ceremony, which ended in celebrational dance to music provided by the I Corps band."

Below are the scenes Neely captured:

A young athlete competing in the Washginton Special Olympics extends high-fives to the supporting crowd as he and more than 2,800 athletes are welcomed to this year's SOWA games, May 30, 2014. Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Dayan Neely, 20th Public Affairs Detachment

A Wenatchee athlete extends high-fives to the supporting crowd. Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Dayan Neely, 20th Public Affairs Detachment

A young Federal Way athlete extends high-fives. Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Dayan Neely, 20th Public Affairs Detachment

A young athlete rides her father's shoulders as the supporting crowd cheers them. Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Dayan Neely, 20th Public Affairs Detachment

A young athlete lights the ceremonial torch to start the games. Photo credit: Army Staff Sgt. Dayan Neely, 20th Public Affairs Detachment

SATURDAY, MAY 31 2014 >>>

1. The Family Curse describe themselves as "electro filth rock," and that definitely does a more succinct job of letting you know what they're all about than we could. To be more specific, the Family Curse sound positively caked with grime and some weird sticky substance that you don't even want to think about. Everything is unspeakably heavy and harsh, like a flaming freight train blazing down the tracks, catching seagulls and squirrels in its path. Catch the band with Survival Knife, Criminal Code, Wimps and the Kitchen at 8 p.m. in Bob's Java Jive.

2. Speed and survival skills will be the key combination at the first annual Association of the United States Army Zombie Apocalypse 5K at 10 a.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood.

3. Tacoma Art Museum welcomes the community to participate in its free, day-long celebration of the region's Native American heritage from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum will be alive with dancing, singing, and hands-on art activities for all ages, engaging participants in the 5th annual Northwest Native Community Celebration.

4. Dave Graham, 49, passed away May 17, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer. Dave's good friend, John Kephart, paid tribute to Dave here. A potluck memorial will be from 6-9 p.m. in the library at Sanford & Son Auctions. Afterward, a tribute party featuring Dave's favorite bands - Deborah Page, masonapron and Bandolier - will be held at 9:30 p.m. at Stonegate Pizza, 5419 S. Tacoma Way.

5. New country rock group The Papillon Saints will play Doyle's Public House in Tacoma at 9:30 p.m. Expect Neil Young, CCR, Waylon Jennings, original Americana and more.

LINK: Saturday, May 31 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

FRIDAY, MAY 30 2014 >>>

1. Washington-bred filmmaker and wine aficionado Colin West has been hanging out with Allen Shoup, former CEO of Chateau St. Michelle and now the winemaker and the owner of Long Shadows Winery in Washington state. Yes, he's been drinking wine with Shoup, but more importantly, West has been filming the experience for his WINERAM travel film series. His WINERAM films create a new and approachable discourse on wine by integrating wine education, travel and adventure. According to West, you don't have to be a pretentious snob to be in the industry or enjoy wine. Last year, West traveled around Australia, visiting the top winemakers in every corner of the country, learning about the wine, their region, the local hot spots and also forcing the winemakers into extreme activities most would never dream of doing. At 6:30 p.m., the Olympia Film Society and Grand Vin Wine Merchants present WINERAM Australia as part of their Movies about Wine with Wine Series screening at the Capitol Theater. Yes, there will be wine beginning at 5 p.m.

2. With the rise of celebrity-scientists such as Bill Nye, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson - host of the fantastic Cosmos - a whole new generation has learned the awe and wonder to be found in nature and the universe stretched out above us. The Evergreen State College taps into that with its Science Carnival and Research Expo, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The carnival features some pretty cool topics and presentations this year, including how cola dissolve certain foods, how oxygen affects the appetite of crabs, how sea slugs convert light and a shellfish touch tank.

3. Actors and critics often claim David Mamet's truncated sentences and indirect ramblings mirror everyday speech patterns, but that's ridiculous. His dialogue is almost as stylized as Kushner's or Shakespeare's. Like both, it demands a particular skill from its actors: the ability to memorize, perform, and slightly overlap dialogue that packs a wallop without seeming to go anywhere in particular. The truth is it's a lot more fun to watch a Mamet play than read or perform one. Tacoma's Working Class Theatre NW presents A Life in the Theatre, at 8 p.m. in the old downtown Tacoma Post Office. Read Christian Carvajal's full review of A Life in the Theatre in the Music and Culture section.

4. The Olympia chapter of the Collective of Lady Arm Wrestlers, or Oly CLAW, will battle at 7 p.m. in the backroom at Le Voyeur. Characters such as Ivana KrushU, Cold As Isis, Vegan Villain and more will go head-to-head, or should we say arm-to-arm, in a full-out fight to raise money and awareness for Safeplace, an advocacy agency and confidential shelter for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Thurston County. Read Nikki McCoy's full story here.

5. Good news: the Music & Art in Wright Park festival will rock Tacoma, once again, with an Aug. 16 date in Wright Park. At 8 p.m. in The New Frontier Lounge, a fundraiser will be held featuring a nifty raffle, and the musical stylings of Pioneers West, Oh Dear! And Coma Figura.

LINK: Friday, May 30 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area