ONE WEEK! >>>

Tacoma will get a lit­tle food-friendlier. Since 2006, a group of dedicated locals have been working to establish a place where fresh, local, non-chemically raped food can be found by all interested in looking, and, better yet, a place for the community to come together, connect and grow. And the years of active recruitment and planning will pay off when the Tacoma Food Co-op opens its doors Aug. 26 at 3002 Sixth Ave. and to be the city's only one-stop shop for local, sustainable and fresh foods and household items.

The official word has arrived via a press release:

Tacoma will get a lit­tle food-friendlier. Since 2006, a group of dedicated locals have been working to establish a place where fresh, local, non-chemically raped food can be found by all interested in looking, and, better yet, a place for the community to come together, connect and grow. And the years of active recruitment and planning will pay off when the Tacoma Food Co-op opens its doors Aug. 26 at 3002 Sixth Ave. and to be the city's only one-stop shop for local, sustainable and fresh foods and household items.

The official word has arrived via a press release:

"This couldn't happen at a better time for Tacoma," says Corrinne Henderson, President of the Co-op. "People are increasingly questioning where their food is coming from and the best ways to nourish their families. Washington is lucky to have some of the best farmers and growers on the west coast and we're incredibly excited to provide an affordable bridge from their farms to Tacoma's dinner tables."

The Co-op effort began in 2006 with a small group of Tacoma residents who saw a need for an urban grocery that would provide locally-sourced fresh and organic foods. After several years of laying the groundwork and crunching numbers, the Co-op this year finalized plans to take over the Neighborhood Market location at 6th & Junett. The business launched an aggressive membership and fundraising drive and successfully has recruited more than 750 members and raised more than $200,000.

The Co-op will officially open on August 26 and will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Both members and non-members are welcome to shop at the store. The Co-op will also host a Grand Opening Celebration all day on September 10 featuring local growers, musicians and more.

The store will boast an abundance of fresh local produce and baked goods, locally grown meats, specialty items such as raw milk and gluten-free foods, the start of what will be an expansive selection of bulk foods, as well as natural household and personal care products.

For more information about the Co-op and how to become a member, visit www.tacomafoodcoop.com.

LINK: Previously in the Weekly Volcano

MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AS DRUNK AS YOU >>>

Things have managed to stay interesting here in Rainiers Town as we approach September. 

With 18 games left in the regular season, the Tacoma Rainiers (63-63) remain 4.5 games behind the PCL Pacific North Division leading Reno Aces. Simply put, the Rainiers are 4.5 games out of a Pacific Coast League playoff spot. A playoff spot that in May seemed totally out of the question. A playoff spot that ex-Rainiers and now Mariners Dustin Ackley and Mike Carp are sure to be jealous of. 

But things are not all peaches and ice cream in Rainiers' manager Daren Brown's dugout.  The Rainiers are struggling to rise to the occasion and take advantage of the Reno Aces' recent downward spiral in the standings. The Rainiers have lost three games in a row to the Omaha Storm Chasers. The team has also lost five out of the last ten games, playing mediocre ball in a time when dynamite ball is called for.

Though there are 18 games left in the season, the playoff spot might be decided sooner rather than later. On Saturday, the Rainiers open a four game series with the Aces down in Reno - a series that if the Rainiers sweep could lead to an easy jaunt into the playoffs. 

Of course, if the Rainiers get swept it would effectively end the season for our boys of summer.

No pressure or anything, Rainiers.  Just keep on doing what you're doing. 

Oh, wait....

Notes:

-Having had the opportunity to attend two Rainiers' games and listen to the rest on the radio this past seven days, I've come away with two things. First, Mike Curto had a bit of a head cold earlier this week. He's fine now, but for a while his voice was, shall we say, a little frog-like.

Second, Rainiers' outfielder Greg Halman is a serious man. Every time he comes to the plate he has a grimace on his face. He looks pissed. The only time he even comes close to cracking a smile is when he scores a run.

I don't know if this makes Halman a mean guy or just a serious competitor, but, man, the guy does not smile. Either way, Halman has an on-base percentage hovering around .400. With on OBP like that, he could scream obscenities at fans for all I care.

-Conversely, Rainiers' infielder Matt Tuiasosopo is always beaming.  His smile was especially large after he hit a two-out grand slam against the Storm Chasers last night.

-It was announced today that pitcher Luke French cleared waivers and will be back on the Tacoma squad. French was released by the organization earlier this month, but now comes back to T-Town ... bringing his 6.12 ERA with him. Are we happy to have French back? Sure. Are we going to be nervous when he picks up the ball and heads to the mound? Oh hell yes.

Before the Rainiers do battle against the Aces, the team faces the Omaha Storm Chasers one final time tonight at 7:05 p.m. Tonight also marks the end of Key Bank's Stand of the Summer event. Friday night fireworks will be presented by the bank, so expect a lot of gold and green.

LINK: The "Rainiers Minute" collection

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Tumwater-Ruben in response to our short teaser preview of Olympia's new 1230 Room. (Of course, we've since done a full-blown Meat Market on it.)

Tumwater-Ruben writes,

This place Rocks! It was Packed with People, Sweet Décor, reasonably priced drinks and enough pretty people to make you pick a fight with your significant other. Check it out!

JUSTIN MAYFIELD KNOWS >>>

The Downtown Tacoma Neighbors and the non-profit Local Life will throw a Downtown Block Party tomorrow night in Opera Alley. Expect a boatload of arts activities, lots of goodness for the kids, music pouring out of every corner, the Weekly Volcano Time-Out Tent, awesome demonstrations and even a beer garden. The Weekly Volcano caught up with DBP producer Justin Mayfield for three can't miss tips concerning the night of creativity.

Create A Colorful Dance

This is an area where partygoers can step into a pair of old shoes, step in paint and then step onto linens and dance or make fun shapes with their feet.

Be In The Picture

In addition to the photo booth where people can put on costume pieces, Jeremy Gregory is creating two unique, really interesting wood cut-outs for a special photo booth where people can put their faces in the holes of them (where faces should be). I heard something about Siamese twins. ...

Telephone Game For Painters

One-stroke canvass is sort of "Telephone" for painting. One person gets to make a stroke but when they lift their brush they have to go to the back of the line and the next person paints off what they did. Someone may have painted an umbrella but the next person may give it legs and a head making it a turtle. The rules may change periodically. Groups of friends can sign up to do one together and customize the rules (three-stroke? time limit? Pictionary?)

Downtown Block Party

Saturday, Aug. 20, 5-10 p.m., free admission
Opera Alley, between South Seventh and Saint Helens
Tacoma

LINK: Downtown Block Party Facebook

SATURDAY, AUG. 20, 2011 >>>

1. One of the biggest positives Tacoma has going for it is the feeling of connectivity and community that's blossoming here. Tacoma isn't big, and with a positive (albeit uniquely T-Town) mindset it's easy to get channeled into all sorts of brilliant creativity and progressive momentum. Today, organized by Downtown Tacoma Neighbors and the non-profit Local Life, the Downtown Block Party will engulf Opera Alley from 5 to 10 p.m. Expect a boatload of arts activities, lots of goodness for the kids, music pouring out of every corner, the Weekly Volcano Time-Out Tent, awesome demonstrations and even a beer garden. It'll be the place to be - guaranteed.

2. Today at Pierce College the Dockyard Derby Dames throw down one last time for the year. First, the DYDD's Undertow will battle the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Bettie Brigade. Then, the evening's main event pits the DYDD's all-star team, Wave of Mutilation, against a collection of roller derby talent rarely seen, described in the press release as, "a mixed team from all over the Pacific Northwest - skaters from Bellingham Roller Betties, Jet City, Rat City, Rose City, Emerald City and Cherry City, and more." Awesome.

3. As the saying goes, "When in Graham, do as the dudes in Graham do." Today, that'll mean plenty of "grazing" at the annual Grazing in Graham event, organized by the Graham Business Association. Expect everything that makes Graham great: BBQ, live music, classic cars and lots of grazing. And, yes, by grazing we mean standing around eating stuff. Get your piece of the American Dream.

4. In this week's paper we made a prediction about today's Undy 5000 that poked fun at the underwear/poop theme. Predictably, not everyone appreciated it. You see, the Undy 5000 raises money and awareness for colon cancer research and prevention - so Dulcolax sponsors it and everyone wears undies as to remind folks where colon cancer does its damage. It's undoubtedly a worthy and cool event. In case that didn't come across in our prediction (or all the poop references), just let us state it one more time for the record.

5. When they're not wailing out pained lyrics with grungy riffs, busting out bone-deep bass lines or tricking and timing the drums just so, Electric Falcons have been debating the next step in their musical progress. After much speculation, a decision has been made: for now, tonight will be their last performance. Electric Falcons will instead spend time recording a full-length studio album with legendary producer Jack Endino. In the meantime, this "last" show at Oly's favorite dive bar, McCoy's, should deliver. Performing with new local metal merchants Engine, and old-time talents with a knack for comedy, Robot Pi, expect pumping fists, crushed tall boys and plenty of hair whipping.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight!

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

While You're Eating Pancakes This Weekend: Tacoma School District and its teachers union are huddled around a table. (News Tribune)

Billboard Battle: The City of Tacoma asks a judge to sign off the Clear Channel agreement. (News Tribune)

Why Trail Passes Are So Important: The two U.S. hikers detained in Iran on espionage charges have been sentenced to eight years in prison, state-run TV reported Saturday. (CNN)

Teeth Chat: Kirsten Dunst adores her "snaggle fangs." (The Superficial)

Ignoring The Fact That You're Making a Horror Remake: Four things horror movie remakes get wrong (Salon)

Your Prayers Have Been Answered: How to make fire from ice. (The Daily What)

And Last: Lady Gaga surfing in a bikini. (TMZ)

THIRD THURSDAY ARTWALK RECAP >>>

The Art Bus shuttling folks from gallery to gallery during Tacoma's Third Thursday Artwalk has evolved into the sort of gathering that captures all that's great about the city and the people who live here. And this past Thursday Tacoma City Councilman David Boe led the tour under the watchful eye of Art Bus producer Angela Jossy and her lovely assistant, Vicky Winters. And while we saw wonderful pieces of art - visiting cool spaces such as Viceroy Gallery, B2 Fine Art Gallery, Embellish Multispace Salon and the Brick House Gallery - the tour also became a lesson on Tacoma history and architecture. Boe, an architect and Tacoma history buff, pointed out noteworthy buildings, shed light of historical facts and dropped one-liners throughout the tour - offering an insider view only a councilmember could provide.

I snapped a few photos on my crappy camera along the way.

On the way to the first gallery the Art Bus passed Box Top Vintage owner Jooley Heaps hanging outside her store.

Angela Jossy has work on display at Vicereoy Gallery, including "Oscillator x Factor."

Kyle Christensen's "Red" hangs at Viceroy.

Throwing Mud Gallery made its first appearance as a stop on the Art Bus tour.

Andrea Trenbeath and James Tucker have new works in Jazzbones's balcony, including this piece they painted during last month's Art on the Ave.

Hot colors in bold abstract configurations are the order of the day at B2 Fine Art Gallery/Studio in "Hot Fusion: Explorations into Abstraction." "Hot Fusion," part one of a two-part show, is currently on display and features works by Todd Clark, Yvette Neumann, Judy Hintz Cox and Scott J. Morgan. Read Weekly Volcano art critic Alec Clayton's review here.

Del Brown and Najamoniq Todd kept the party moving at Embellish Multispace Salon. Besides the art of Maureen McHugh from Mad Hat Tea, the party also celebrated the birthday of owner Patricia Lecy-Davis.

McHugh created a timeline of hair fashion through the ages, which she gifted to Lecy-Davis.

Peering through the Brick House Gallery's window our yellow land vessel.

We caught the very tail end of the Spaceworks Tacoma one-year anniversary party on Hilltop Tacoma.

Tacoma filmmaker/artist Kris Crews painted the walls of Nate Dybevik's space on MLK Way on Hilltop Tacoma. Dybevik is a musician, a composer and a visual artist; he is also learning the fine art of piano rebuilding in a space provided by Spaceworks.

LINK: Arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

SNIPPET FROM OUR SUMMER GUIDE >>>

Like those now-scarce restaurants where roller-skating servers deliver food to your car, drive-in movies had their heyday in the '50s. These days, most movies watched in the car are on computer or smart-phone screens. But while drive-ins.com lists only six open drive-ins in the state, you don't have to travel back in time to enjoy the summer-night experience of watching (or, better yet, not watching) a big-screen film in the privacy of your own car. Skyline Drive-In, which opened in 1962, is still showing movies on weekends from March through October. You listen to the movie on an FM radio. The Skyline bans outside food and drink (there's a snack bar), alcohol and drugs.

• DETAILS: 182 SE Brewer Road, Shelton, $7, $1 for ages 6-11, free for 5 and younger, gates open at 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday, movies begin at dusk, 360.426.4707 or skylinedrive-in.com
• FILMS SCREENING TONIGHT: Horrible Bosses, Cowboys and Aliens and Rocky Horror Picture Show

LINK: Weekly Volcano 2011 Summer Guide

SUNDAY, AUG. 21, 2011 >>>

1. Mixing elements of art deco, bossa nova, punk, rockabilly, surf, lounge, Middle Eastern and Eastern European music, Red Elvises is a particularly difficult band to summarize. Led by a fearless leader known as Igor Yuzov, Red Elvises is a trashy, kitchy, lurid ball of energy that tears through towns and venues with reckless abandon, and no small amount of winking ridiculousness. Seeing the band live, expect garish animal-prints and elements of similar oddball groups like Reverend Horton Heat, the Billy Nayer Show and Gogol Bordello. Above all, remember to dance your ass off. Tonight, Red Elvises are at Jazzbones.

2. South Sound wineries have banded together and created some boozy passports, an opportunity for you to taste wines from Vina Salida, McCrea Cellars, Walter Dacon, Medicine Creek Winery, Madsen Family Cellars, Northwest Mountain Winery and Stottle Winery. The $20 passport - the root of "South Sound Wine Trails" event - included free tastings and a $5 discount off any wine purchase, and completed passports (with a stamp from each tasting room) will be entered to win a weekend getaway with two nights lodging and dinner, a Capitol Dome Stress Reliever and $50 gas card. Today marks the last day. Visit www.southsoundwinetrail.com for more details.  

3. Drop in on the Rockin' Blues Jam Session hosted by Max Renshaw tonight at the City Hall Saloon and Eatery Enumclaw.

4. Sunday night means blues at the Spar in Old Town Tacoma. Tonight the legendary spot brings in the Fonkeys from 7 - 10

5. Opening Thursday, Harlequin Productions' latest work features both stamp collecting and danger. No, really. Described aptly as a "comic-thriller,' Mauritius is the story of, "a valuable stamp collection discovered in the refuse of a family estate begins a desperate battle between ethics and desire." If that doesn't sound awesome to you you're dead inside. Catch today's performance at 2 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight!

FILM FESTIVAL TIME >>>

Filmmaker magazine announced the results of its annual survey of the "25 New Faces of Independent Film." Published by IFP, the nation's largest and oldest organization of independent filmmakers, Filmmaker has been doing the survey for 14 years.

For the second straight year, The Grand Cinema in Tacoma will screen films from said 25 filmmakers - this year the Tacoma independent film house will show 20 films through Aug. 25. 

Today, three films are on the docket:

AARDVARK, 1 p.m.: A blind ex-alcoholic becomes an amateur sleuth to solve a murder. Filmmaker calls it "Ravishing to look at." Filmmaker Kitao Sakurai will be in the house.

THE COLOR WHEEL, 3:30 p.m.: A comedy that gives a harsh, sarcastic twist to the intimate rivalry of siblings as they take a road trip together. Actress/comedienne Carlen Altman leads the post-film discussion.

SNOW ON THA BLUFF, 6 p.m.: A document on the life of a young, black, crack-dealing single parent. Is it staged or real? Ask filmmaker Damon Russell who will be in attendance.

LINK: We wrote a feature on the 25 New Faces of Independent Film

25 New Faces of Independent Film Festival

Friday, Aug. 19–25
The Grand Cinema, 606 S. Fawcett Ave., Tacoma
253.593.4474