THE ART OF VOLUNTEERING >>>

It's been part of the dating dogma for many a year that the perfect place to meet someone is in a non-threatening, low-pressure environment. The usual examples are grocery stores (weird) and museums (weirder).

Why not get to know new people in a place that's both fun and rewarding, like The Grand Cinema in downtown Tacoma?

Alright, I may be laying the theater's match-making ability on a little thick, but only by a little bit. In my time as a volunteer (and, later, as a projectionist), not only did I see a number of friendships and romances form in the lobby, but I eventually met the people who would later introduce me to everyone I would become friends with in Tacoma. I understand that - if you're new to Tacoma, or any city - it can be hard to make friends. While I was born and raised in Tacoma, in 2004 I knew hardly anyone. On a whim, I began volunteering at The Grand Cinema, and it turned into one of the richest and most enjoyable periods in my life.

Here's how it works: Volunteer shifts range from two to four hours. For each shift you work, you receive a free pass to come see a movie. Tasks include making popcorn, serving concessions, running cash registers, taking tickets and cleaning up the theaters after movies finish. Typically, rushes last about an hour; you have the rest of your shift to hang out and talk with your fellow volunteers. If you ever want to get away, you can duck into one of the movies for a little bit, but it's fun to get to know the people you work with.

Now, I know calling The Grand an "arthouse" may conjure up images in your mind of snooty people with upturned noses, but the volunteers that make the Grand Cinema tick run the gamut, from high school students to senior citizens, liberal to conservative, serious to silly, and everything in between. Their unifying quality is the desire to keep a worthy entity like The Grand Cinema up and running, and to have fun in an environment that encourages creativity.

It's a happy coincidence that the Grand Cinema consistently plays the best movies in town. Perhaps you can take advantage of the free passes you receive as a volunteer and take a new friend out for dinner and a movie.

[The Grand Cinema, 606 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253.593.4474]

DONATE TO A LOCAL CHARITY >>>

There's no better way to support your community than supporting your neighbors in need, especially during the holiday season. We'll feature local charities on Spew throughout this holiday season with links to donate your money, supplies and time.

Give the karmic wheel a spin for today's charity focus:

Emergency Food Network

3318 92nd St. S., Lakewood
253.584.1040

The ongoing economic downturn is costing people their jobs, stressing family budgets, and putting people out of their homes. People who never needed help before have been forced to look to public assistance for the first time. To meet that need, the Emergency Food Network has been working since 1982 "to provide a reliable food supply so that no person in Pierce County goes hungry." Each month in Pierce County, more than 140,000 people seek emergency food assistance. EFN provides food and other essentials at no cost to more than 65 food banks, hot meal sites and shelters for distribution to low-income families and individuals.

Stephanie Genton, a volunteer coordinator with EFN in Lakewood, sent us word that they're short volunteers to stuff their annual appeal letter into envelopes. We're talking 3,000 envelopes people. The letters need to get out Friday. Therefore, EFN is asking volunteers to drop by their Lakewood office at 3318 92^nd St. S beginning at 10 a.m. Friday to stuff. Give Genton a jingle at 253.584.1040 for more details.

When asked what else the EFN is short on this holiday season, Genton said anything and everything food related. "The need is so high. Money donations are always great since we can turn $1 into $12 of food. We offer daily bulk-food repacking Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.," she explained. More information about the repacking can be found here.

LINK: Donate to the Emergency Food Network

Previous Mistledole charities

• Tacoma Community House
• Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children
• Olive Crest

STEPH DEROSA: LET'S GET SOMETHING STARTED >>>

Perched upon the porcelain pedestal in Marlene's Market and Deli's restroom, thoughts of peace and serenity begin to fill my mind. No, it's not because I'm taking a huge poo, as some of you readers seem to believe this is the premise to all Toilet Tales. With a busy life and many obligations, a chance to be alone and reflect in silence is a moment that is few and far between. And really, if you must know, I very rarely poo in public loos. (Although Home Depot seems to always stir something up in the bowels of my husband whenever we go shopping for home fixtures.)

The feeling of peace and serenity I mentioned comes from the overall feeling of doing the best thing for my family by buying and feeding them whole and organic foods. Yes, my grocery bill tends to be higher than the typical Safeway run, but I justify this by thinking there is no price you can put on living a healthy life. Simply put, there are certain foods we do prefer to buy there. For example, you can't find a closer or better selection of sprouting seeds than at Marlene's.

Sometimes doing the best thing to me also involves supporting the community. Not only am I talking about supporting the local businesses, but I'm also talking about the Big VÃ: VOLUNTEERING. While reviewing my thoughts about this subject as I rest in Marlene's public potty, I remember the struggles I've been through in my own career of volunteerism.

I joined the Junior League of Tacoma way back in the day with hopes of making new friends, having a social outlet, and volunteering in the community. While my experience with this organization gave me a plethora of knowledge that I will always be grateful for, it was also the lifelong friendships I developed that bring a tear to my eye as I reminisce. The two things I loved most about the Junior League, hands-on volunteer work and having a social outlet, are two of the biggest things besides my friends and family that can bring me a sense of peace and serenity in life.

After leaving the Junior League, I took on the endeavor of starting the Tacoma Beer Society for a friend who was a Pittsburgh Beer Society transplant. I was going to get it started and give it one year before I handed it off. I worked damn hard, and developed that thing from the ground up. We established hundreds of members and held monthly tastings. My time was eventually done, and I handed it off to my co-founder in April 2008. Nothing has been touched since. It crushes me to see e-mails gone unanswered, and to see a Web site I worked so hard for and put so much time into simply crumble and die. No one has made an ounce of effort since my departure, and I try daily not to blame myself, as I did do everything I could within that year.

Well, guess what? I'm yearning again for another social outlet. I don't want to be a part of another board-heavy, overanalyzed, over-managed nonprofit. I also don't want to be a part of an organization I am setting up for someone else. This time it's going to be for ME.

With support from the Weekly Volcano, I'm going to start a volunteer and social organization that will hopefully also fit the needs of some of you out there. It's in the beginning stages, but here are the specifics:

No money needed. No dues, no membership no nonprofit status, no board of directors.

One night (or day) a month is social time. We talk, meet new people and chill out. It's during this time we also pick that month's project.

Another separate day of the month is the day we go out and complete our chosen project. It's a hands-on, one day, come as you are for as long as you like and even bring the whole family day of volunteerism. (This could be anything from donating time to a food bank, to cleaning up a park, to painting someone's house.)

Come all the time or don't come but once a season. Like I said, there is no roster and this is very low-commitment. I want this to be simple and run by the needs of the community. That community includes YOU.

First, social will be in early August. Time and place TBD¬" your input is needed!

Further discussion can be done so in the Volcano Forums. Or e-mail me.

LINK: Toilet Tales archive