Even last week’s stupid snow couldn’t hold me back from the sweet South Sound escapades that I got myself into. Here’s the lowdown:

Monkeying Around

Wednesday was the 100th Monkey arts community party where artists and appreciators gathered to nibble on snacks, drink wine and enjoy the Joshua Cain Band, all at the First Congregational Church (so very historic and beautiful). I had an excellent time chatting it up (with a nametag that someone planted on my back that said “Screamer”) with Tammy Craft and Liz Sparks (Veritas Mortgage babes), James Hume, Bennett Thurman, Angela Jossy, Houston Wimberly; hugging on Daniel Blue; wishing I had enough money to land my own spot at Sanford and Son with owner Cheryl Gorsuch; and learning about Lynn Di Nino’s house that she’s building from the ground up (that’ll be a gem for sure!).

Gallivanting with The Sherpa

Thursday I hung out with my old pal, The Sherpa. We began our evening at Matador for their superb happy hour treats ($4 nachos and Tex Mex spring rolls), then we rolled down the way to Paddy Coyne’s because I wanted to check out The Joe Show. Joe is one of the bartenders at Paddy’s. I was friends with him on MySpace, but we’d never actually met before. He was just as witty and funny as his MySpace page. Following, The Sherpa and I bee-lined up the hill to the Top of Tacoma. There I found Sheri from Hanks. She and I immediately started sending evil text messages to people we both know, with devilish laughs. Those buddies departed, and I sat at the bar throwing cocktail swords at people like Tall Troy, Jason and Hammer. I can’t disclose what happened after all of that because, well, it’s a little foggy. But yes, I woke up the next day alone (phew!).

Magoo’s mischief

K to the K and I decided on Friday that we were long overdue for a jaunt to Magoo’s, and I wanted to high-five Greg, The Mexican, before he and the lovely Melissa took their trip to Jamaica (LUCKY!). Many of the usual suspects were there including Jesse Ray from the Fucking Eagles, Trish Delish, Scott, Niels, Alexo Rulz and Ebony. I’m always so comfortable at Magoo’s that I want to go back there every day.

The art that is Traver and Blanco Bronco

Saturday I joined in at the Traver Gallery’s beer and art show. There, more than 100 people gathered to sample five of The Harmon’s microbrews, we learned about their brewing process from Mike Davis, and we listened to gallery owner Bill Traver (who I had the great fortune of meeting) discuss how art is often about making the ordinary extraordinary. That was a genius partnership, and I’m now a dedicated fan of the gallery.



That night I caught the Blanco Bronco (soooo good!) show at the Acme Grub Cage. The house was captivated by the band, with many awesome people including Wade, Kathlyn, Jesse Ray, Pappi, KAke, Laura Malone and The Mayor of Hilltop. Pappi reviewed the show on our blog, which you can catch at www.weeklyvolcanospew.com.



Don’t just live in Tacoma, get out and feel it!