As we all know, these days it's all about local, and Tacomans are incredibly fortunate to have four farmers markets spread-out through out the week to make our shopping accessible. What I would like to see is a year-round market in a permanent structure like Olympia. Why do they always get the cool stuff? More about that later. ...

Yesterday, which is usually reserved for drinking at Masa with the girls, I decided to instead do a walk through the 6^th Avenue Farmers Market with $25 bucks and hankerin' for some good eatin's.

First thing I noticed were the smells and sounds coming off the market. It smelled somewhat like the Puyallup Fair, but elevated. Sweetness of cotton candy, but I think it was the donut stand, curry from Gateway to India (yum) and barnyard poo. Where that odor was wafting from I hadn't a clue.

A hippie dude playing the bongos guided me through this love fest of culinary delight, and leading me to my first purchase at Brady's Oysters (seafood).  Having visited their store in Westport when visiting DeRosa Manor Part Deux, I discovered this store is a seafood lover's heaven. Their slogan is: "Shuck Me, Suck Me, Eat Me Raw". How can you resist that?

At the market you will find Brady's fresh oysters, shrimp, crab, salmon, tuna, smoked oysters, clams, dips and even Panko for frying. I chose a half-pound chunk of smoked applewood salmon - and perfectly smoked at that. But what to go with it ... how about a soft goat cheese blended with garlic and dill from Blue Rose Dairy out of Winlock? Yeah!

But where is my crusty bread? Didn't see any. Upper Crust Bakery and Bistro had a booth last year, so too bad they're not there or some other bakery jumping in to save the day.

Speaking of baked goods, you can get a fresh bagel with all the fixings from Daily Bagel, and a freshly made pie from Auntie Than's - and wash them down with a lovely cup of Organic Herbal Tea.

Of course you will find the usual: flowers vendors, produce vendors, organic and not so organic, lots of berries, and some lovely oyster mushrooms, which were only $2 a bunch, so I scooped those up immediately. Sauté these lovelies in some butter, sesame seed oil and a little soy sauce. I'm drooling now.

I must mention a cool new addition to the market, at least since I was there last - the Tacoma Farmers Market information booth has a credit card machine where you can run your card and buy tokens in $5 increments. No dashing to the cash machine if you don't have to.

Now for my major bitch: leave your damn dogs at home. I love dogs. I have a dog, but I won't bring him here. Crowds of people can trigger sensory overload for animals. Also, dogs encountering other dogs on leashes can lead to aggression. Shocking I know, but some people just don't like dogs, so leave them at home please. Plus, I witnessed a dog underneath a vendor table scarfing down a flat of raspberries while the owner wasn't looking.

Back to my year-round farmers market idea, how about Freighthouse Square? They're looking for a new owner? Just a thought. ... So visit one or all of your local farmers markets: 6^th Avenue on Tuesdays from 3:30-7:30 p.m., Downtown Tacoma on Broadway on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Proctor District on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and South Tacoma at 56^th and South Tacoma Way on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.