CHATTING WITH PRESIDENTS >>>

The University of Puget Sound will blow out 125 candles on its birthday cake March 17, 2013. One hundred and 25 years!The university was founded around the time the Convention of Constantinople was signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and peace. The English Football League was also established in March 1888. The Weekly Volcano also believes that was the year people started complaining about the Tacoma streetcars, wishing they had cars to move around more freely.

Anyway, 125 years is a big deal, and the university intends on partying hard this year. You may check out the university's plans at its 125 Anniversary Hub.

Weekly Volcano scribe Nikki McCoy caught up with President Ron Thomas — the university's 13th predident - to discover his favorite memories from his past 10 years as president. Read those memories in Thursday's issue of the Weekly Volcano.

McCoy also asked Thomas what upcoming UPS anniversary happenings thrill him the most.

"It's hard to choose, because there are so many things exciting about the year ahead," Thomas says. "I am pretty excited about the new residence hall now under construction that will be completed this year - a beautiful new building from one of the world's top architects - AIA Gold Medalist Peter Bohlin. It will house upper class students in ‘houses' dedicated to international affairs, environmental policy, the humanities, entrepreneurship, and spirituality and social justice - with great views of Mount Rainier, too."

Thomas also says he's thrilled Nobel Prize-winning writer and activist Wole Soyinka will visit Feb. 7, among a stellar group of artists and intellectuals scheduled to visit the campus in 2013.

"As we celebrate our first 125 years, we look forward to continuing to innovate at Puget Sound, as we always have, to become a leader among the best liberal arts colleges of the future - real, relevant, and always true to ourselves," Thomas says. "I am excited by our $125 million campaign to make sure that happens.

"And what always excites me most is the amazing (and unpredictable) achievements of our students, who surprise me every year in the distinctions they earn. I am looking forward to that," he says.

By the way, he's excited to cheer on the Logger teams and tracking their progress as they make their Drive for 125 wins this year.

"I'm never happier than when I can cheer on our student athletes as they light up the scoreboard," he adds.

MONDAY, JAN. 7 2013 >>>

1. Rich Wetzel's Groovin' Higher Jazz Orchestra has been popping up in local bars and restaurants, introducing folks to jazz of years gone by, as well as a few current numbers. Lately, the big band has put more emphasis on the jazz-rock fusion, some hot Latin jazz and some big band rock tunes from Chuck Berry and James Brown. That said, Maynard Ferguson hovers above the band like Obi-Wan Kenobi. Wetzel and crew visit The Royal Lounge's Monday Jazz Series at 8 p.m.

2. Dale Croes, wet archaeological site specialist, talks about a 10,700-year-old Northwest Coast wet site discovery on small Ellen Island in southernmost Haida Gwaii, off the west coast of British Columbia at noon inside the Washington State Capital Museum.

3. Director Roger Michell’s Hyde Park on Hudson supposedly chronicles the momentous first meeting of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Britain’s King George VI, but all that’s just background noise. Really, the movie is about how FDR’s dowdy distant cousin, Daisy Suckley (Laura Linney), had a schoolgirl crush on the commander-in-chief.? Hyde Park on Huson screens at 2:05, 4:15, 6:50 and 9 p.m. inside The Grand Cinema in Tacoma.

4. "In the Family centers on one of the notable performances I've seen — if, indeed, it is a performance. ... This is his first feature, and may signal the opening of an important career." So wrote Roger Ebert of Patrick Wang, the writer-director and star of a drama whose plot could scarcely be more topical in these parts: A gay parent in Martin, Tenn., faces losing his son when his dead partner's sister files a custody challenge.In The Family screens at 6:30 p.m. inside the Capitol Theater in Olympia.

5. The Olympia Area Square Dancers will be offering a free Introduction to Square Dancing class with a 10-week set of lessons starting at 7 p.m. inside Lac-A-Do Hall, 1721 46th Ave. NE in Olympia. 

LINK: Monday, Jan. 7 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

BANDITO BETTY LOU WHO'S LEAP OF THE DAY >>>

Bandito Betty Lou Who isn't a huge fan of jingtinglers, floofloovers, trumtookas, blumbloopas and the other wack musical instruments her fellow Whos bang during the holiday season. Every two years she gets the hell out of Whoville and spends the holiday season in the South Sound.

She's back. The Weekly Volcano secretly attached a GPS device to her whocarnio. We're tracking her.

Apparently even Bandito Betty Lou Whos need to do some last minute shopping. We spotted her at the Market on Market waiting for it to open today for its Last Minute Gift Grab. From noon to 4 p.m. Caps 'N' Scraps, Singe Soy Candles, The One Spot, LollyGear, Fingerprint Confections, Paparazzi and others will sell locally sourced and made food and gifts. We managed to snap of her leaping before she ran out the door and into the YMCA. Don't fret. The Weekly Volcano is hot on her trail. Expect more Lou Who action tomorrow.

MARKET ON MARKET, 1122 MARKET ST., TACOMA

LINK: Bandito Betty Lou Who jumps archive

LINK: Weekly Volcano loves the holidays, cats and crafts, so we joined Pinterest.

12 SLAYS OF CHRISTMAS >>>

Admit it, Santa can be down right creepy sometimes. We've seen him walking down the street with droopy eyelids, boozy breath and unrecognizable stains on his fluffy white cuffs, or posing in pictures of yore, some awkward looking child perched on his velvet covered knee, the off-white beard clinging to his chin like a tobacco-stained stalactite, and his skeleton-like hands, all loose skin and arthritic, wrapped around a candy cane, a supposed gift of goodwill.

Now, it's time to take creepy to the next level with Silent Night, Deadly Night, where, instead of gifts and stockings and the occasional bottle of Mickey's, Santa wields an ax and employs a twisted method of checking off the naughty list.

Playing at The Grand Cinema tonight and tomorrow, as part of the Grindhouse Theater series, the Silent Night, Deadly Night showing also features the extra gimmicks that film programmer, coordinator and host Justin Giallo adds as a signature accompaniment to his screenings. And of course, it will be played in 35mm film, just the way Giallo and other cult-classic followers prefer.

Before the film - an appetizer if you will - is David Walker's (BadAzz MoFo magazine) festive mini epic holiday short, Black Santa's Revenge, which will be hosted by Giallo.

There will also be a raffle and trivia with prizes and giveaways from creepy sponsors Cult Collectibles - Figures From The Fringe!, Rotten Cotton, RaroVideo and Fangoria. Limited edition posters by Creepycult will be for sale as well as goods from local indie vendors SKULLCLOWN, Nerdy Stuffs, String Theory: Knitted & Crochet Gifts, Poison Apple Tacoma and others.

When I asked Giallo how it felt to provide a much-needed service to Tacoma, he replied, "In my opinion, it feels spooktastic! It's awesome knowing that so many horror/cinema fans and misfits from all different ages come together and get to have the experience of seeing these films, most for the first time and more importantly in 35mm. 35mm is something to be treasured and I never thought I would have so many people supporting, loving it and digging all the films we've been programming and my gimmicks! It's the best feeling in the world! To quote the classic cult flick, Freaks, ‘Gabba Gabba We Accept You! We Accept You! One of Us!'"

The festivities begin at 8 p.m., film starts at 9:09 p.m. Tickets are $9 at the door or online.

THE GRAND CINEMA, FRIDAY, DEC. 21-SATURDAY, DEC. 22, 8 P.M., $9, 606 S. FAWCETT AVE., TACOMA, 253.593.4474

THIS CALLS FOR A TOAST >>>

Nostalgia, a hug from simpler times, waits to wrap its warm arms around our hearts every chance it gets. Parties, to celebrate the present, wait on the cusp of a Facebook page, or the inspiration of a socialite. Freedom, the fight for our rights, makes sure we stand together in solidarity. Along with the ever coveted alcohol, this combination of human connection comes together beautifully in the Repeal Prohibition Day Celebration.

On Dec. 5, 1933, Americans regained the freedom to imbibe, and 79 years later, Wednesday, Dec 5, 2012 at 6 p.m., the Olympia Film Society (OFS) presents its second annual Repeal Prohibition Day Celebration at the historic Capitol Theater in downtown Olympia.

The event encourages period clothing and is complete with pre-prohibition handcrafted cocktails, burlesque with the girls of TUSH!, photo booth, live music with Scuff & Al and the Greta Jane Quartet - all hosted by Oympia's lord of storytelling Elizabeth Lord.

But wait, there's more.

"We'll be premiering some new cocktail brands, have startenders from Portland, Seattle and Olympia, hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants and, this year, we have a secret Speak Easy Bar too," emails Audrey Henley, theater manager and event director for OFS.

If this year's Repeal Prohibition Day Celebration is as successful as last year's event Bradford Knutson, brainchild behind the event, will be thrilled.

"Everyone really enjoyed it last year," Knutson says. "The comment I heard the most afterword was - Olympia never looked so good.

"This is going to be an ongoing event," he adds. "Repeal day is the one day in American history where a freedom was taken away and then given back. I would like it to become a national holiday as much as 4th of July. We certainly wouldn't be able to celebrate the others as much without this one."

CAPITOL THEATER, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5, 6 P.M. DOORS, 7 P.M. SHOW, $10-$15, INCLUDES ONE COCKTAIL, 21+, 206 E. FIFTH AVE., OLYMPIA, 360.754.6670

SUNDAY, NOV. 18, 2012 >>>

1. It gets cold out there, but it sure is fun and the crisp air sparks the holiday spirit in even the most curmudgeon among the walkers. A family tradition in the South Sound is walking through the Fantasy Lights displays at Spanaway Park. The 2.5 mile route is open to walkers for a preview from 5-7 p.m. Beginning Nov. 22 you can drive the loop to see some 300 light displays that range from a skiing snowman to a tank firing snowballs to a pirate ship and jumping rain deer. Fantasy Lights, now in its 18th year, is the Northwest's largest drive-through holiday lights display.

2. This and That Rummage Sale will be loaded with clothes for our entire family, household items, books, record albums, tchotchkes, kitchen stuff, toys and more for chump change from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Studio 6 on Sixth Avenue.

3. Coming direct from an award winning world premiere in Washington, D.C., Welcome, O Life will be screening at noon inside the Washington Center for the Performing Arts this Sunday afternoon as a part of the 29th Olympia Film Festival. The first feature film of Evergreen graduate Nicholas Redding, Welcome, O Life film is about the search for the sacred within a broken world of industrial ruins. For a schedule of today's screenings - the last - day - at the Oly Film Festival, click here.

4. Reenactors as Col Silas Casey, Lt. August V. Kautz, Lt. E. Porter Alexander, and Maj. Alvord retired army officers will tell of their experiences at Fort Steilacoom and as generals during the Civil War as part of "You are There" series at 2 p.m. on the grounds of Historic Fort Steilacoom, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. in Lakewood.

5. Off With Their Heads, Phasers On Kill, Neutral Boy and The French Exit play a 5 p.m. show inside Jazzbones.

LINKS: Sunday, Nov. 18 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

THURSDAY, NOV. 15, 2012 >>>

1. Tacoma's Third Thursday Artwalk is awesome ... the only trouble is it's completely unwalkable. Thankfully, 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, and from museum to museum, 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 Sen. Jeannie Darneille will help guide you through such stops as Poppy & Co., 253 Collective, Creative Forces/Hotel Murano, Nine Lives Vintage, Anew Thyme, Merlino Arts Center and The Social. Tickets are $10 regular admission and $20 for VIPs. VIPs get gift bags with items from lots of local businesses and participate in a raffle. The Bus pushes off from the Tacoma Art Museum at 6 p.m.

2. The Tacoma Historical Society hosts its 6th Annual Membership Meeting & Reception at 7 p.m. inside the Old Post Office at 1102 A St. in downtown Tacoma. Yes, the organization will discuss business and it's plans for the coming year, but it will also include architectural and historical chats about the Old Post Office. Believe us, no one will mail in this talk. Arrive early for at 6:30 p.m. tour of the joint.

3. Olympia Coffee Roasting Company is one of Olympia's Godsends. The roasting house helps state workers crank through Excel files, it adds bounce to college students' steps and it puts a smile on everyone's face that comes through its front door. OCR will celebrate its major awards, and second year in business, tonight with a bash featuring Olympia indie garage band duo, The Maxines.

4. It's semi-finals week of the 33rd annual Seattle International Comedy Competition, and the field has been narrowed. Producers officially announced the 10 comics from Week 1 who will be going on to the semi-finals that takes over the Washington Center's Comedy In A Box slot at 7:30 p.m. Nate Abshire (Minneapolis), Ryan Clauson (Hanover), Ricarlo Flanagan (Detroit), Solomon Georgio (Seattle), Joe Klocek (San Francisco), Landry (Atlanta), Justin Leon (Kansas City), Michael Malone (Los Angeles) Elliot Maxx (Seattle) and Tacoma's Tyrone Hawkins will bust out 10 minutes of their best bits in hopes of grabbing some sweet prize money.

5. The Java Jive Appreciation Society hosts a Jive Turkey Disco karaoke night beginning at 8 p.m. at, you guessed it, the Java Jive. Dress in your favorite duds from the '70s.

LINK: Thursday, Nov. 15 arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

BRILLO BOX HEADSLAP >>>

Viewing and reviewing the Andy Warhol exhibition at Tacoma Art Museum brought back memories of fun times and heated arguments in college art departments in the '60s and '70s. The consensus opinion was that Warhol was not really so much an artist as he was a great practical joker putting everybody on and making lots of money at the expense of a gullible art-buying public. Most of us in the art schools thought that was super cool.

I, for one, thought he was the greatest artist since Picasso. Not that I particularly liked his art; it was his whole being that I liked - his public persona, his ideas. I saw him as not so much a painter or silk screen artist or sculptor or filmmaker but as a brilliant, tongue-in-cheek performance artist. His art was not what he made but what he was. This was the apotheosis of what Marcel Duchamp had begun by purchasing a urinal and entering it in an art exhibition.

I liked Warhol but did not fully appreciate his contribution to modern art history until I read the critic Arthur Danto's analysis of Warhol's Brillo boxes. Sorry, folks, his analysis was too complex to explain in the limited space of this column, but I can kind of hit the highlights. It has to do with calling into the question the relationship between art and life, reality and illusion. For centuries, beginning with the Italian Renaissance and up through the Pre-Raphaelites and on up to the photo-realists of the late 20^th century, artists had attempted to create illusions of reality. With the invention of collage by Picasso and Braque, artists began to bring real life into their art rather than create illusions. Duchamp erased the boundaries between artist-made and manufactured items, Alan Kaprow's happenings of the 1960s blurred boundaries between art and life, and when Jackson Pollock was criticized for not painting from nature he said, "I AM nature." All of this culminated when Andy Warhol painstakingly and with great artistic skill duplicated banal commercial machine-made objects - the Brillo boxes - and said he wanted to be a machine.

The Brillo boxes ushered in the very-hard-to-explain post-modernism and forever changed the face of modern art. That's the short version of Warhol's accomplishment. It took me years to recognize and understand it to whatever small degree. It took me even longer to grow to like the very subtle and sometimes shocking artistic quality of his drawings and silkscreens. I still see the red-and-white silkscreens of soup cans as more conceptual than visual. But I have come to love his color choices and the shimmering off-register of many of his flowers and celebrity portraits and many of his other pieces. I've come to appreciate him as a conceptualist and an artist, and I think Tacoma is lucky to have this special exhibition of his work, some of which was done specifically for Tacoma. How cool is that?

The exhibition is organized by Tacoma Art Museum, with the acknowledgement of the generosity of The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh.

TUESDAY, NOV. 13, 2012 >>>

1. The Swiss Pub and science are synonymous. OK, so maybe they're not quite synonymous, but they do go together quite well - the "Tacoma Science Café" at the Swiss proves it. Tonight, U.S. Geological Survey's Chris Magirl, Ph.D., will discuss the causes of floods and approaches to reduce the threats of flooding in our communities. The dicussion and beer begin at 6:30 p.m.

2. Today is International Chowder Day. Yahoo! In celebration of said day Duke’s Chowder House on the Ruston waterfront will hand out free small bowls of chowder during operating hours.

3. Several Tuskegee Airmen will drop by the annual meeting of the Lakewood Historical Society to share stories. The celebration begins at 7 p.m. inside St Mary's Episcopal Church next to the Lakewood Library.

4. Maria Sampen, Tim Christie and David Requiro will perform the music of Zoltan Kodaly, Gordon Jacob and J.S. Bach as part of the Classical Tuesdays In Old Town series. The trio hit the chairs at 7 p.m. inside the Slavonian Hall.

5. Get your groove on tonight in Parkland. DJ spins during "$2 Tuesdays" at Lady Luck Cowgirl Up, offering Top 40 action plus $2 wells and drafts. The good times start at 9 p.m. Or, if you're looking for something more, peruse the Volcano's extensive live local music listings here. 

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

TEARS OF FREAKIN' JOY >>>

This past July, Chris Wedes, better known as TV clown J. P. Patches, lost his battle with cancer at the age of 84. On television from 1958 to 1981, Wedes delighted generations of Puget Sounders with his zany antics and a style that was irreverent yet gentle.

The Weekly Volcano hasn't been the same since. We still mope about our leaky office, pouring the last little splash of flat Tab into our Boris S. Wort coffee mugs, adjusting our collection of Ggoorrsstt the Friendly Frpl lunchboxes, dusting off our Swami of Pastrami Pez statues and wondering what to do with the rest of our lives.

Then we wandered into Metropolitan Market in Tacoma's Proctor District (2420 N. Proctor) for our daily pocket stuffing of free cheese.

Holy Patches Pals! The entire Met Market staff is dressed as characters from the J.P. Patches show for Halloween. Met's floral designer Anna Stahl – dressed J.P. – pulled 14 outfits together for the staff.

If you are a Patches Pal, drop by for a hug.