Spew

Framed

I’ve been collecting concert posters, signed pictures of musicians, carefully salvaged Beautiful Angle poster art, and grudgingly buying art prints when I can’t afford the original painting (not to say that I’m not thrilled that this option exists, but rather that I wish I had more dinero to buy art) for quite some time. I have them stashed in a not-so-careful pile in a closet. Early (compulsive) spring cleaning made me realize this practice is one of neglect.

I need frames, matting, and glass to protect and preserve these treasures. After measuring the items, I took a quick trip over to Michaels The Arts & Crafts Store on 38th Street near the Tacoma Mall. The framing department at the back of the store is pretty much its own entity. Friendly staff there good-naturedly laughed as I explained my dilemma but assured me they could take care of my needs. The frame selection alone was impressive as was the array of matting in many colors and textures. Soon I’ll have more professionally turned out works of art than wall space — and then I’ll have an excuse to move.

Cost of framing and matting depends on size and desired outcome.

Just saying. — Jennifer Johnson

[Michaels The Arts & Crafts Store, 2941 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253.473.0114]

Advice Goddess

Amy Alkon drags people, kicking, screaming, and laughing, out of their misery with her column, which has been running in the Weekly Volcano for several years. Renowned psychologist Albert Ellis calls her "saner than most of the therapists I know." Paleopsychologist Howard Bloom refers to her as "intellectually promiscuous." Amy simply calls herself a "godless harlot."

The Advice Goddess will now post every Thursday on the Weekly Volcano Web site, too.

Klan do attitude
I’m in a relationship with a man I love and want to spend my life with, but I can’t stand his 6-year-old daughter. She’s obnoxious, has a smart mouth, and is being taught some wicked racism by her mother and her mother’s family. I’ve never tolerated bigotry, and I don’t intend to start. This kid is also being brought up to believe she’s the center of the universe. I become a second-class citizen when she’s around (she can do no wrong, and I’m “picking on her”). I’ve tried explaining that going along with how she’s being raised goes against my values, and is very troubling to me. Her father just gets angry, accusing me of being jealous (partially true) and “not trying.” He says since he only sees her every so often, he will not spend their time together correcting her bad behavior. More and more, I despise and resent this child for screwing up what could have been a wonderful relationship. Is this doomed? — The Devil Wears Disney

Read Amy’s answer here.

To be or nut to be
I hit it off with a woman at a party, and we had an amazing date. Shortly afterward, she started saying stuff like “I think you like me more than I like you.” I admit, I fell hard. I was willing to dial back, but she called, texted, and e-mailed daily. Eventually, she dumped me, but called yesterday to say, “I guess I still have a crush on you.” Is this a head game? Am I an idiot to try again? — Mixed Messages

Read Amy’s answer here.

Shopping on Broadway

While Broadway, the hub of theatrical experiences in Tacoma, can be a great place to catch a show — or even buy tickets as a great gift idea — there’s more here than just theaters.  Shopping in the area is diverse and fun with long-standing and hidden treasures awaiting shoppers. Check out my story here. — Jessica Corey-Butler

It's on today!

THE SHOPPING
Duck The Malls
You don’t need a Cinnabon to have a positive shopping experience.  Hurrah!  Consider an alternative, if you will. Duck The Malls arts and crafts sale is a gathering place for Olympia punks, hippies, hipsters, youngsters, oldsters, artists, Weekly Volcano-sters, crafters and folks of all kinds as an antidote to everything that’s wrong with the hectic, antiseptic, fluorescent-lighted mall. Olympia artists have worked all year to present you with artistic gifts for the holidays.  Check it. — Suzy Stump

[Capitol Theater, Sunday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., no cover, 206 E. Fifth Ave., Olympia, 360.754.5378]

MUSIC
Friends of the Holidays
Today break with tradition and launch an electric alternative to straight-laced fund-raising affairs through Friends of the Holidays, a benefit concert that brings together music fans to help those in need. Why spend another long evening with society-page, black-tie socialites and sweater-clad Samaritans donating money and/or perishables to hear Josh Groban, Kenny G and an elegantly robed choir quietly perform Christmas standards? Your $10 suggested donation goes toward providing food for selected families and children who might otherwise go without.

The entrance fee includes performances by local loud-and-proud musicians in order, the Polly O’Keary Band, Billy Roy Danger & the Rectifiers, Rod Cook & Toast, the Kellee Bradley Band, Orozco, Bump Kitchen and the Randy Oxford Band.  An auction and raffle make it more interesting.

Now that’s entertainment!

[The Swiss Pub, 3-11 p.m., $10, 1904 S. Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821]

POP
urbanXchange Xmas
urbanXchange hosts a free Christmas show today that I can get behind. Trans Union, Ghosts & Liars and Garage Voice will fill Tacoma’s hippest resale fashion store with perfect pop while cookies and candy canes dance in my stomach.

Trans Union’s passionate ’80s post-punk is wrapped in tight, melancholy ballads sporting a name tag that says Interpol’s Turn on the Bright Lights and drawings of Santa Morrissey plastered on the present.

Pull the draw string on Ghost & Liars and listen to some of the most well thought out pop music you’ve ever heard. Honey sweet melodies, radiator-warm cello line and candy canes are their trademarks.

Garage Voice heads down the chimney with emotionally significant, jazz-inspired rock loaded with pretty piano work.

It's free, too. Thank owner Julie Bennett for the early present. — Suzy Stump

[urbanXchange, 7 p.m., free, 1934 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280]

MORE MUSIC: In the clubs tonight.

Get shopping today

Malls, schmalls. Below you will find what we, your cherished Spew scribes, have on our holiday alternative shopping lists today. We've also included handy links to help you find your way. President Bush says shopping keeps us free, so who are we (or you?) to argue?

Holiday Trunk Sale
We love the holidays, but let’s face it: shopping at this time of year can suck. Snagging your nails in a catfight over a cashmere scarf, ruining your skin in the moisture-sucking mall air, and growing monster knots of tension just to cross each gift off your list makes for a stressful season. Enter Tempest Lounge, whose Holiday Trunk Show Saturday is a much-needed respite from the insanity. Seven local artists — Laura Towse, Jennevieve Schlemmer, Sara Woodward, Pam Sprowl, Kimberly Kay, Michelle Douglas, Brit-Simone Sutter and Marty Kneeland from Vinosus — offer their creations for holidays gifts (and get to keep 100 percent of their sales). Booze will be flowing so no kiddies. — Suzy Stump

[Tempest Lounge, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2-6 p.m., 913 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.272.4904]

Holiday Glass Sale
There should be a connection here. Christmas, Christmas ornaments, glass, glassblowing. ... There really should be a connection here. Hhhmm. ... Hilltop Artists in Residence Tacoma hosts its annual Holiday Glass Sale Saturday (Christmas, creating healthy spirit for youth, glass?). Beginning at 7 a.m. the public picks numbered tickets for order of admittance (gifts early in the morning ... like Christmas?). But this sale is one day only, sooo. ... Come grab your new Christmas ornament or piece of art, or Christmas shop, if you just get inspired enough. There we go. Connection. — SS

[Jason Lee Middle School, Saturday, Dec. 8, 7 a.m. ticket distribution, 9 a.m. to noon sale, 602 N. Sprague, Tacoma, 571.7670]

Holiday alternative
Take one look around and you’ll see that most South Sounders go plumb crazy buying the latest fancy doodads and electronic gadgets as presents for their loved ones. Perhaps the question has crossed your mind: Can’t my family find a more meaningful way to celebrate Christmas?

Leave it to the fine folks at the Alternative Gift Fair to come up with a solution. The Alternative Gift Fair offers shoppers the chance to buy a gift in someone’s name from organizations that help train the homeless, help protect the environment, build homes for families and feed the hungry.

So do something truly good for others this Christmas season and visit the 20 organizations at The Olympia Center Saturday. — Michael Swan

[The Olympia Center, Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 222 Columbia St. N.W., Olympia, 360.754.5397]

South Sound Christmas

Gift shops are traditionally those places where you can find that sweet little trinket for Aunt Tilly, the place where you can find that floral thank-you card set or that perfect Chintz teacup that you just know will make her gush with joy.

Three South Sound gift shops have those sweet trinket items and much more. Drees in Olympia, Watermark in downtown Tacoma, and Cake in University Place all present any number of exquisite items for your dear auntie, but they also have things to make even the youngest, hippest recipients squeal.

Drees offers Olympia’s shoppers of distinction a wide range of items, from large custom furniture pieces to the daintiest of triple milled soaps in dog shapes.  Among other bath and body items at Drees are L’Occitane brand soaps and creams. The 20 percent shea butter hand cream is probably my favorite item when the winter weather makes my hands rough.  Drees also carries personal items such as scarves and purses, household goods for the well-stocked kitchen, and even children’s items, from books to pewter first-lock holders to Steiff stuffed animals.

Quality paper goods such as Crane & Co card sets are also available as well as a wide selection of handmade, one of a kind cards.  One favorite of mine, the hand water-colored avocado card with certificate of authenticity, sat beside a set of cards that looked like ’50s-era wallpapers. These are the sorts of things I love to give — and get — when the world seems to consist of e-mails, junk mail, and bills.

For this same reason, make a shopping stop at Tacoma’s Watermark. A personal favorite of mine is the custom stationery selection.  Here you can get invitations, announcements, and even customized writing paper like your Aunt Tilly used to send you letters on — until she started e-mailing you, that is.

Resumé kits, etiquette books, calendars, planners, notebooks, journals, and other useful paper items sit in the displays at Watermark as well as sparkling handmade jewelry, bath and body items, and serving and décor items for entertaining.

An intriguing line that melds two of my favorite things — cooking and scents — is the Cucina line, featuring scents such as coriander and olive tree, ginger and Sicilian lemon, and basil and tomato.  With this line, cooks can get a more pleasant-smelling space, softer hands, and cleaner dishes without the war of the scents that can happen when a garlic pesto meets up against a gardenia candle.
Fun stuff for those who don’t like to cook — and enjoy laughing about it — can be found at Watermark too. Its selection of Anne Taintor products is about the largest (and funniest) that I’ve seen in the South Sound.

Laughter is also emphasized in University Place at Cake with an eclectic selection of humorous gift books and other whimsical printed items such as wallets and cards. But Cake also offers up serious shopping with its Anthropologie-like boutique styling and products ranging from design and décor items for the home, high-quality body products, and seriously hip clothing. Antique furniture mixes with up-to-the-minute clothing lines such as Joe’s Jeans and Seven for all Mankind, just as sculptured vases seen last week in Elle Décor sit next to knobs and hardware that could have been at home on Aunt Tilly’s mahogany sideboard. 

The only problem I had while doing my gift shopping at these three shops was that I didn’t want to give items — I wanted to keep them.

Who’s the wise guy that said it’s better to give than receive, anyway? — Jessica Corey-Butler

[Dree’s 524 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, 360.357.7177]
[Watermark Gifts 1115 A St., Tacoma, 253.383.2041]
[Cake 3838 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253.564.2253]

Feed the needy and feel good

It’s the holiday season, when we pretend to care about the less fortunate for a week or two before going back to our tragically ironic, passionless existences.  So get your charity jones satisfied in the most relaxed way possible; bring a non-perishable food donation for the Emergency Food Network to Savi Day Spa and enter to win one of its weekly drawings for a $100 Savi Gift Card.  I under stand you’ll also be entered into the spa’s grand prize drawing — a 12 month membership. Ocean Escape Tub Treatments and feed the hungry.  Nice!

So grab sevens cans of food, a spare blanket (to donate, not for post-massage naptime) and enter to win. Drawings will be held on December 8, 15, 22, and 29 with the grand prize drawing to be held on Dec. 31, 2007. 

Contact Savi Day Spa for more details. — Suzy Stump

Future Things Are Coming

SHOP
Holiday Trunk Show
What: Seven local artists offer their creations for holidays gifts.

Why: Because snagging your nails in a catfight over a cashmere scarf, ruining your skin in the moisture-sucking mall air, and growing monster knots of tension just to cross each gift off your list makes for a stressful season.

When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 2-6 p.m.

Where: Tempest Lounge, Tacoma.

PLAY
Dickens Festival at Stadium
What: A Victorian period-piece shopping experience in Tacoma’s Stadium District.

Why: Christmas shopping can be fun — especially when you dress up like the Artful Dodger.

When: Saturday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Stadium District, Tacoma

Join me at Tacoma Art Place

I’m feeling holiday-like. Is it the paraphernalia I’m seeing in all the stores, or the calendar that’s putting the pressure on?

I don’t know which it is, but being that I’ve got this yearly tradition of making my own cards, I guess I need to get a move on.

The beautiful thing of it is, this year I won’t have to do it alone, thanks to my friends at the Tacoma Art Place.  I’ll be holding a class on Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and I’ll share some ideas and techniques from cards I’ve made in the past, and a boatload of supplies and refreshments.  All I want from you, dear friends, is to show up with $10 and any supplies you might have to share (though the latter is not necessary.)

And because I’m feeling that holiday spirit welling, I’ll donate any profits from the event right back to Tacoma Art Place.

Can’t wait to see you there! — Jessica Corey-Butler

My dog looks hot

Tank the wonder-Springer was looking scruffy.  More than that, he was dragging in bucket loads of mud on the fur of his paws, and his nails, which had already removed most of the Swedish Finish on our hardwoods, were beginning to gouge the concrete of the sidewalks.

It was time for a grooming.

On Friday, I called Soulful Tails to make a Saturday appointment, only to hear, “the mailbox is full.”

Ditto Saturday; Sunday I didn’t try, and then Monday and Tuesday were hairy in terms of life juggling.  So then on Wednesday, I tried once again to make Tank an appointment to be beautiful, only to get “The number you have reached has been disconnected.  If you feel you have reached this recording in error, please try the number again.”

I did, and I got the same damn message.

Tank’s hair and nails weren’t getting any shorter, so I brought him to Tacoma’s Best Pet Grooming, where I found a friendly staff that put me and Tank immediately at ease, and where Tank found a female Springer Spaniel with her tail-stub waving.

He was stoked.

I was later stoked with his fabulous new ‘do (he got to keep the Mohawk!) and his short-haired paws.  Sounds like Soulful Tails closed unexpectedly, though I can’t call to reach anyone to confirm anything.

As a treat for being handsome, Tank received a bully stick and a fab new collar next door at Lucky Dog Outfitters—and we brought Bill home the same items for being a patient and naturally short-haired brother.

[Tacoma's Best Pet Grooming, 3411 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.756.7385]
[Lucky Dog Outfitters, 3411 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.761.4486]

It's on today!

FASHION
Holiday Inspiration
Tonight’s Rocky & Coco’s Holiday Inspiration fashion show party will showcase feminine dresses and tops by designer Diane Von Furstenberg, whose motto is “Feel like a woman. Wear a dress.”  Watch for hot new denim for men and women by 7, Joes Jeans and True Religion. Rocky & Coco will be completely rearranged to allow for a runway stage down the shop’s center. An emcee will explain each outfit as the models strut their stuff to the music of DJ dAb in coats by Liquid and Mike & Chris, shoes by Report Signature and tops by Sweeties and James Perse. Male models will show tops by Robert Graham, Tackle and James Perse. Seattle stylist Susie Bradley will be handling models tresses.

The first 100 guests will receive goody bags and gift certificates for local Tacoma hot spots Sweets, Treats & Designs and Urban Tanning. Pacific Grill chefs will also whip up tasty little treats for attendees to nibble while oooohing and aaaaahing at designs. Naturally, champagne will flow.

A $10 suggested donation will go directly to Toys for Tots. There will be an after party at Pacific Grill with prize drawings, decadent desserts, more bubbly, cocktails and DJ dAb. — Jennifer Johnson

[Rocky & Coco’s, Thursday, Nov. 15, 7-10 p.m., 750 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.274.0606]

MORE SHOPPING: In The Bag.

PSYCHOBILLY
Boneyard Crawlers
The Boneyard Crawlers are the newest members to join the Northwest’s rockabilly club. Formed just six months ago, they only have a 13 song set list, but it’s all original material. The quartet combines old-school punk with surf and good ol’ fashion rock ’n’ roll. — Tony Engelhart

[McCabe’s American Music Café, with Triple Nickel and Gryphon, 8 p.m., $5, 2611 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.5403]

AFROBEAT
Albino
The San Francisco-based Albino is most definitely a show not to be missed if you’re a fan of fat horns, multi-percussion and pulsating beats. Rooted in the West Africa tradition of music and dance, they play an authentic brand of “Afrobeat” and adorned in outrageous tribal attire, they are as visually loud as the music they play. But it’s not all fun and games.

Honoring the legacy of Nigerian musical revolutionary, Fela Kuti, the band is also extremely politically aware and socially conscious as they try and inspire thought, activism and change through their lyrics. The multi-racial troupe believes, as Kuti did, that music can achieve a positive revolution and are dedicated to doing their part to try and raise awareness to various issues.

The award-winning group just released their full-length debut, Rhino, this past year. As expected, the disc is chock-full of funky grooves, tight horn arrangements, intoxicating rhythms and motivating lyrics. — TE

[Eastside Tavern, 9 p.m., $5, 410 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.357.9985]

MORE MUSIC: In the clubs tonight.

Rocky & Coco's fashion show

Tomorrow night’s Rocky & Coco’s Holiday Inspiration fashion show party will showcase feminine dresses and tops by designer Diane Von Furstenberg, whose motto is “Feel like a woman. Wear a dress.”  Watch for hot new denim for men and women by 7, Joes Jeans and True Religion. Rocky & Coco will be completely rearranged to allow for a runway stage down the shop’s center. An emcee will explain each outfit as the models strut their stuff to the music of DJ dAb in coats by Liquid and Mike & Chris, shoes by Report Signature and tops by Sweeties and James Perse. Male models will show tops by Robert Graham, Tackle and James Perse. Seattle stylist Susie Bradley will be handling models tresses.

A $10 suggested donation will go directly to Toys for Tots.

There will be an after party at Pacific Grill with prize drawings, decadent desserts, more bubbly, cocktails and DJ dAb. — Jennifer Johnson

[Rocky & Coco’s, Thursday, Nov. 15, 7-10 p.m., 750 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.274.0606]

Vintage Arts exercise

Took a stroll through Vintage Arts Saturday afternoon. It's a great place to perform Tai Chi. The aisles are so narrow that I had to move slowly and delicately as not to knock off a 1960s lamp or martini glasses from the 1950s.

For a snapshot of the Sixth Avenue store, check out this article on the Weekly Volcano Web site.  Everyone should take a slow stroll through the shop.  It's a Tacoma treasure. — Suzy Stump

Functional Fashion Rock Show held in Tacoma

It’s probably rare that when someone uses the phrase “packed in like sardines” that it is actually a true description of Friday night’s Functional Fashion Rock Show that people literally crammed against one another. There wasn’t any room to open the door. The people outside in line grew anxious.

Mike Jolly and Alex Tapia, the main creative minds behind this fusion of music, performance, fashion and art held in a tiny space in downtown Tacoma.  The two started work on the project more than three months back when the weather was warm and we were still waiting for summer to hit. Jolly and Tapia have worked on other projects in the past and were in the band Sincerely Elvis until Alex moved to Bellingham for school. Sincerely Elvis disbanded and drummer Jolly enjoyed a stint with Please Give Blood until two of their band members migrated to Seattle and Please Give Blood was no more.

This is the first project the multi-talented artists collaborated on since Sincerely Elvis’ demise. Jolly focused more on designing the clothes for the models while guitarist Tapia laid down the music. Revisions, practices, changes and much progress later, they presented the Functional Fashion Rock Show.

The production was, from start to finish and from angles, dreamed up to be a multi-faceted visually stimulating phenomenon.

“We did everything…from writing all of the music, all of the lyrics, designing all of the clothes and looks, the stage, and then we got the models to sing the songs,” explains Jolly. 

The models were a veritable who’s who in the Tacoma area art/music scene. Shaking their hips, gripping the mic, and letting the vocals flow with serious rawness would have Mick Jagger (an original stage stalker) grinning and envious of the youthful exuberance. To say these lovelies where showing off their many talents is a severe understatement. I enjoyed these models rather than the typical stiff faced stoic models that prance up and down a runway wearing clothes real people probably aren’t buying.

Jolly and Tapia’s designs are unusual, yes, but still practical and of course, functional. Take the blue and white hoodie Alex designed for model Daniel Blue — it’s functional, eye-catching and made for the real world

Yes, you still have to be a bit on the daring side of fashion for these looks, but not by much. Stephanie Johnson’s head to toe ensemble by Mike Jolly melded bright blue with black in designs that had onlookers riveted. The skirt was hot, hot, hot. Meoooww!

Of note, Jolly also designed Maria’s distressed and reconstructed black, white and cream long sleeve shirt, Byron Betts’s brown, cream and black zip vest with exaggerated collar as well as crafting his own look.

Poster art for the Functional Fashion Rock Show was created by Christopher Jensen of PHOTOG Kristopher Jensen of Photogy Design. — Jennifer Johnson

The Weekly Volcano would like to thank Lisa Fruchiante for contributing to this Pride of Tacoma event.

Trekkin’ through Tricky’s past

Captain Kirk has a son, and his name is Tricky. 

No, really. 

Tricky’s Pop Culture Emporium is owned and run by Patrick Kirk, whose dad was a captain (get it? Captain Kirk) in the U.S. Army.  Yes, Daddy Kirk was a Trekkie, and yes, the family sat together and watched “Star Trek” when it was on television.

It would seem like natural progression, then, that Tricky the Trekkie would dream of a world beyond the elder care he’d been involved with since he was 13 years old.  Tricky saw Star Trek: the Experience as a way out of the daily diapering of the elderly. “It was before Depends,” he remembers. “They were cloth diapers.”

Star Trek: the Experience, a sort of Disney World for Trekkies in Las Vegas, lured Kirk with the lofty title wardrobe assistant.  What that amounted to was, in his words, “washing Starfleet uniforms and shining Klingon boots.” He recalls how the Klingons’ boots, with internal lifts, lifted further the Klingons’ impressions of themselves.

But all was not well with the Experience, and downsizing brought Captain Kirk’s son a pink slip.

That brought Kirk back to work as a nurse’s aide in a Las Vegas old folks home filled with New York characters “who would not die.”  He recalls one guy with a four-pack-a-day — “unfiltered!” he emphasizes — smoking habit who had a particularly nasty attitude at 100 years old.  A former barber, the man had many photos on his walls.  All featured a cigarette in the right hand and a drink in the left.  “He used to cut Regis Philbin’s hair,” Tricky tells me, and I’m certain he’s pulling my chain. “No, I believed him,” he says.  “If he was going to lie, he’d say Frank Sinatra or something, not Regis Philbin.”

Good point.

At about this time, Elvis entered Kirk’s life in the form of albums some of the residents had given him.  Kirk says of his ambitions, “I moved there (to Vegas) to clean Klingon boots, not to do Elvis impersonations.”  But sometimes, the inevitable grabs hold, and Kirk succumbed, moving to Seattle shortly thereafter, where he garnered rave reviews and a first place for his Elvis in a skirt — TransElvistite.  A picture in his shop shows him as his alter ego, and he has a great pair of legs to go with his miniskirt.

Now, here in Tacoma, where his brother lives, Kirk’s shop acts as a physical autobiography of his life’s phases and interests — all for sale for surprisingly cheap.

Go there; talk to him.  It’s fun. — Jessica Corey-Butler

[Tricky’s Pop Culture Emporium, 817 Division Ave. Suite B, Tacoma, 253.272.5288]

Tour of Urban Living this weekend

I can’t wait to peek inside Tacoma’s swank condominiums during this weekend’s Tour of Urban Living, a self-guided tour set to take place Oct. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In last year’s tour, I remember having a light bulb “Aha!” moment watching the occupants of the top floor of a million-dollar condo project.

Together, the couple entered the elevator with their two Scottish terriers, a carrier with six bottles of wine, and several bags of groceries.

Right then and there, I was sold on condo lifestyle. I could see myself as an empty nester with two lap dogs I’d bestow impossibly clever names upon, bringing up my gourmet fare to prepare and savor in my gourmet kitchen kitted out with Gaggenau and Viking appliances while sipping on an amazing vintage.

Check out the Tour of Urban Living details here. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Why Tacoma boutiques are pricey

My friend sent me an alarmed text message when she went shopping for jeans for her teenage daughter. Seemed she was struck with a bad case of sticker shock by the prices she was seeing in the boutique where they shopped.

I responded apologetically: sorry, I thought you knew boutique equals money.

And then I thought about that statement.

While it’s true, boutiques can get spendy, it’s also true that you get what you pay for.

What I’ve discovered in my exhaustive research in Tacoma’s boutiques is that shopping culture is a lot like restaurant culture.

I've posted my findings on the Volcano Web site. — Jessica Corey Butler

Baggallini Trunk Show Friday

Watermark Gifts and shop proprietor Karen McGrath hosts a Baggallini Trunk Show Friday, Sept. 28. What is a trunk show? Trunk shows are typically a first viewing of new products that allows limited numbers of buyers first-shot purchasing.

Jerry Boyle, Baggallini representative, will be bringing a truckload of bags in fun fall colors and will be on hand to answer questions and share his expert opinion on what bag is best for you based on your function needs. Baggallini products are known to be durable, high functioning and fashionable, made with quality fabrics and strong stitching. Check out oversized totes, carry-alls, messenger bags, makeup bags, purses, and more. Designs have a broad range appeal due to the varied styles and Baggallini’s smart ability to offer items that compliment almost anyone’s fashion sense and personal style. — Jennifer Johnson

[Watermark Gifts, Friday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1115 A St., Tacoma, 253.383.2041]

Fall Equinox Getdown Sunday

How will you adorn yourself this fall?

While the coming season's key fashion statements seem buried under a heap of end-of-summer sale merchandise, there's a sense of anticipation in the air along with that nearly imperceptible nip.

Get a head start Sunday night when The Monsoon Room hosts its Fall Equinox Getdown, and judging from its last equinox party, people turn out looking their best.

The party will kick off Sunday night at 8 p.m. with the Afro-Cuban combo Little Boat performing live while guests sip on the Monsoon Room’s new fangled drink concoctions, nibble on snacks and check out the folks sashaying through the hip joint.

DJ d:fi will fill the gaps with drum ‘n’ bass grooves. — Suzy Stump

Meditation scares Bobble Tiki

The CDM Psychic Institute holds a workshop titled “Meditation & Healing” tomrrow.  Bobble Tiki loves the sound of that and was all set to go. Until he discovered that meditation helps you wake up and find your true self. Bobble Tiki has made a career or being both unconscious and shallow, so maybe this event isn’t for him.  — Bobble Tiki

[Tacoma CDM Psychic Institute, Tuesday, July 31, 7 p.m., $20, 4004 S. 12th St., Tacoma, 253.759.7460]

Best of Tacoma hits the streets

For the last four months, the Weekly Volcano staff has fought, argued, cajoled one another and basically worked themselves into a frenzy on their way to choosing — and then writing about — the most interesting, useful, quirky, and unique things that make the city of Tacoma the ideal place to live.

That's right friends, the Best of Tacoma issue has hit the streets, stuffed inside the Weekly Volcano and Ranger newspaper, as well as thrown about smartly on its own.

We concentrated solely on Tacoma city limits.  We apologize to Olympia, Lacey, Lakewood, Puyallup, University Place, and other South Sound cities.  We didn’t have enough space to do them justice.

Although we had to moan and complain and struggle and fight and pull our hair out to make this issue happen, secretly we all know that the Best of Tacoma issue is the most fun we can legally have while still getting paid. — Ron Swarner

Tight Cuts opens in Tacoma

I would never, ever call the Significant One “cheap” but he is very cautious about where his money goes. 

This is the man who has been known to balk at a $12 buzz cut (his preferred coiffure) but when I was explaining the Tight Cuts concept to him, he perked up a bit. (I think the words “leather,” and “hot chicks” might have had something to do with it.)

He still was a bit unsure about the cost: “28 bucks?” he wondered, with that skeptical little scowl he gets.

So I went in on the Tacoma store opening Friday, and watched a steady stream of clients mosey on up to the chairs, perhaps with a bit of curiosity on their faces.

Resting their eyes on Michelle Machale and Marian Johnson, stylists on duty, the curiosity turned to appreciation; as they left that appreciation seemed to have morphed into respect.

The guys I saw walk out of there not only got good hair, but they got a hot towel face wrap while their scalps (and necks and shoulders) enjoyed a bit of massage and excellent product loving (Tight Cuts uses Crew products, mmm, nice).

As for the Significant One, he was initially put right to comfort by the atmosphere.  (“It’s like where we stay at Vegas,” he explained, likening the atmosphere to The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, where he goes to hang with friends to recharge every now and again.) He also seemed to appreciate the fact that when he said what he needed — not a guard, but a regular clipper — they “got it” and gave him a great cut with Marian, as per his expectations.  His expectations were exceeded—as proposed by CEO Dominic Casey — by the personal-basin wash, and more, more, more.  In this salon, each high-end chair gets a basin, and each cut gets a massage; each service gets a tech who cares.

And much as the Significant One hated to admit how much he liked the end result — and, in fact, the whole experience—my suspicion is, the Tight Cuts folks just got a client for life. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Best Places To Live

Silverdale is the closest town to the South Sound that made Money magazine’s Best Places To Live 2007 list.

Eat it Middleton. — Suzy Stump

Lovin’ on the Tacoma hipster boutique lovin’

Take two things I love — Tacoma, and boutiques — mix ‘em together with a little bit of liquid spirit, and call me in Heaven!

Love Tacoma’s Hipster Boutique Tour covered some mileage with a mix of Link and good old-fashioned foot power, attended by about 12 Beautiful People (one of whom was male, and appeared to be loving the True Religion jeans at Rocky & Coco’s).

At Dame Lola, the shopping got serious, with the work Zoobilee thrown around with frequency and force. I loved hearing Rebecca’s wisdom on the trends, and the subsequent moments of “Ohmygosh, this is THE dress!!”

I loved the boutique-oriented conversations, like the exclamations about how fab Tiki Lounge is (pity its distance — really not far at all, but considering the hour and the close-proximity boutiques we covered, it put us out of walking range) and other enthusiastic, Tacoma-loving moments.

Especially fun, talking to two lovelies from Boston — one a recent transplant, one just visiting — whose positivity about the city made me glow with pride.  They had a pretty amazing basis for comparison after all.

Junior Bizarre and urbanXchange were also covered in the tour, with a stop off at 21 Commerce after all the shopping love was over.  But for me, I had a kid and a curfew so had to call it an early evening, pity, pity, pity, for I could have shopped and reveled in Tacoma Love all night. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Should I drop my peeps?

It’s a dilemma.

I find out weekly, sometimes daily, about people offering services and doing them really well, sometimes at really good costs. Things like massages, waxing, pedicures, manicures, hair cuts, hair coloring, are brought to my attention, and I get to meet fabulous professionals who rock my world.

And then there’s that loyalty thing.

I love my peeps, those who have been my providers for services since, like, forever. I feel like a married hot chick in a singles bar — so many options, all so interesting … and yet …

So I put this to you, dear readers: What do you do when you want to change providers for spa services? Just fail to make follow-up appointments? How do you explain situations if providers are good friends? And have you ever been placed in the awkward position of finding a provider in your existing salon who you wish to change to, but don’t know how to explain that to your current provider?

Tell me what you do via the comment thingy on this blog or at feedback@weeklyvolcano.com; put “hairchat dilemma” in the subject line.

Thanks for your loyalty! — Jessica Corey-Butler

Flowers cost more at Tacoma Farmers Market

Is your wisteria wilted? Your monstera morose?

Go get more at the Tacoma Farmers Market, but bring your banker. 

• FROM TACOMA FARMERS MARKET: As the new market season has begun, the Tacoma Farmers Market staff has encouraged its flower vendors to collectively raise prices for bouquets in order to make up for major losses farmers suffered as a result of flooding and harsh weather during the off-season. On behalf of its flower vendors, The Tacoma Farmers Market hopes that market shoppers will understand these conditions which have mandated the rise in flower prices.  For more detailed information, please contact the Tacoma Farmers Market office at (253) 272-7077.   

No biggie I say.  Explore the Tacoma Farmers Market every Thursday and admire the accomplishments of gardeners more talented than you. — Suzy Stump

[Tacoma Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, Broadway between Ninth and Eleventh streets, downtown Tacoma]

Welcome Lily

Lily Judith Driscoll has entered the world at 7 pounds, 12 ounces with dark hair and big feet. 

The entire Weekly Volcano staff wishes her and her parents the best in life.

Congratulations Jennifer and Matt!

Point Defiance Flower and Garden Show Inspires

I did the rare, this evening: I watered my front garden.

That’s how inspired I was, after seeing the dream backyards at the Point Defiance Flower and Garden Show.  Since my back yard is sort of beyond hope, as the pups have their own version of gardening which includes search and destroy, (a wise master gardener, seeing my challenges, suggested I plant concertina wire if I wanted something “dog proof”) I decided the front will be my last hope.

And the garden show gave me ideas, could have sold me masses of plants from some very cool vendors, and firmed my resolve to not let the front go to hell.

Arriving at lunchtime, I was surprised at how busy it already was, and how many people were leaving, done with their garden day of fun by the time we arrived. But I guess, with gardening as well as aviary life, the early bird gets the worm.

I was also surprised, the lines to the coffee and food (gasp!!) were crazy long.

Hence, the wee one and I didn’t stop for food, and hence, the wee one’s complaints reached a crescendo by the time we reached the tents with craftspeople.

Apparently, she was so hungry her leg hurt.  So we had to high-tail it out of there, with her 45 pound body on my hip, up to where we had to park in Ruston (grrr.) (I would have walked, from home, but I knew the wee one’d complain, and we’d have had to walk a mile, both ways, uphill on the way home.)

At any rate, our brief time at the garden show made me happy; seeing the park I know and love transformed into inspirational outdoor spaces, and seeing so many people appreciating it all was well worth the pain in my back after we reached the car.

And that’s saying a lot. — Jessica Corey-Butler

[Point Defiance Flower & Garden Show, Saturday, June 2 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, June 3 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $15, children 12 and younger free with adult, Point Defiance Park, 5400 N. Pearl, Tacoma]

All we are saying…is give Brooke a chance…

Tacoma seems to often be that “also ran,” that “little sister,” that “gritty” individual.

Time for the also ran gritty little sister to band together to pop one of her own into the national limelight!

Actually, Brooke Bennett has done a reasonable job of boosting herself up into the limelight.  Working hard as a fashionista design diva via urbanXchange employment, she’s achieved a place in a Teen Vogue competition among two other stylist wanna-be gals, one of whom is beating her in votes (gasp!) though Brooke was in the lead only a couple of days ago.

We can’t let that happen.

Get your teenaged daughters, friends, nieces, and alter-egos to vote for Miss Brooke, and give that girl a place in the stylist spotlight: winner gets to go to New York to style a band for a photo shoot, and gain some valuable experience for future fashionista-ness.

Just go to www.teenvoguepromo.com. When you get to the page there is a slide show of the current promotions. When you get to "style that rocks" (the third one), then click on it, at which point you’ll be asked for your birth date which will take you to the page to vote. Click on Brooke, then look at the tabulated response, then get all the people you know to do the same! — Jessica Corey-Butler

Prepare to “Get the latest Dirt” at Point Defiance

At the Centennial of Point Defiance Park, the Point Defiance Home and Garden Show debuted.  While it was “originally designed to be a one-time event,” according to Marcy Frlan, co-chairing the event this year with Natalie Findlay, it was so successful it was held again last year, and will be again, this year, on June 1, 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for Sunday, when it closes at 5 p.m.

While I thought the opening night preview, with its “fabulous '50s-style classy cookout” sounded like a hoot, that “Go Retro” event is by invitation only (I was not invited, sob) I guess I’ll have to settle happily for all the fun and games of the rest of the event.

But how to choose? With highlights like Display Gardens, a Children’s Pavillion, various types of contained gardens and design ideas, Afternoon Teas, a lecture series, food court, arts and crafts, plants, and community growers showing off goods for sale, not to mention the wine and beer garden, I suspect by the time I get there I’ll be that butterfly, flitting about from point to point, landing on occasion when a sight, smell, or taste strikes my fancy.

And since it’s walking distance from my home, I can call it community fun in the name of nature-meets-exercise.

I can’t wait! — Jessica Corey-Butler

Tea (er, champagne) and fashion for Point Defiance Zoo

Frequently, fashion shows are all about, well, fashion.

The way the Point Defiance Zoo Society did it for the Fashion Tea Saturday at the Emerald Queen Casino, the subjects were fun and fashion, with the addendum to read “fund-raising.”

High points were plenty, from the Tom Jones opener “What’s New Pussycat” reinforcing the Purrrrfect theme, with a Tom Jones who looked suspiciously like Jack Black.  In a good way, as I dig JB and thing Tom is oogie.

More high points: the cake auction, with hot men in tuxes tempting the audience with dessert decadence.  Perhaps it was the heat of the men that drove bidding frenzy to over $300 for several cakes, which did indeed sound dreamy, especially when paired with a hot, topless man to serve it — but it was interesting to me that while cakes were hot, a few of the auctioned trips sold less quickly, despite the valiant attempts by Larry Stokes.

Stokes did manage to gain the Zoo at least $1,000 through two bidding splits, where the two highest bidders both won prizes.

I was teary-eyed by the generosity of many, when contributions were solicited to fund such things as school tours, walrus feedings, and outdoor ed programs, and I was awed to be in the presence of people so committed to helping sustain such an entity as the zoo, which brings so many great things to Tacoma.

As the event closed, though, I was stoked to see my boutiquin’ homies all representin’ for the 253, from Dame Lola (I suspect the Nordstrom intro was erroneously placed before the lovely lantern-sleeved Miguelina blouse, yellow dress, and tunic top that I recognized from the shop, whereas I did not recognize the evening gowns shown under the shop’s name) — to the hot styles from Red Line, Rocky & Coco’s, Tiki Lounge, Cake, Bloom, and other local shops that brought heat wrapped in style to the runway.

And as the grand finale?

How fun to see Rusty George, whose company designed the event’s graphics, himself (attired beguilingly in a fabulous bridal gown courtesy of the Wedding Bell) with his incendiary fiancée, attired beguilingly in a tux.

Rad, is all I can say. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Fresh Fashion Bash Friday

Tacoma School of the Arts senior Sena Kim buzzes around in a frilly, daffodilly top, plucking sweaters and shirts off of the clothing racks while the 2007 Daffodil Parade roars down Pacific Avenue: high school marching bands zim-zam ahead of lumbering, flower-laden floats carrying beaming teenage beauty queens; pirates from every sea swashbuckle through the crowds lining the street; and in a bizarre anti-smoking display, a pinstriped chain gang swings cigarettes through the air whilst dragging their shackles across the pavement. Kim and two other SOTA seniors (Andy Wright and Jill Mendoza), however, are the busiest bees of the whole daffodil season hive: Kim and crew must attend to Tacoma’s hipsters during store hours at UrbanX while planning one of the biggest fashion events of the year this Friday, April 27, at Club SOTA in downtown Tacoma.

Along with an already vibrant local music scene, Tacoma is fast becoming a place of colorful and inventive fashion, with local artists such as Daniel Blue and his Loyalty clothing line spearheading a 253-oriented, ultramodern urban style.

The SOTA Fresh Fashion Bash will feature student-designed apparel from American Apparel (“Sweatshop free!” Kim chimes) and is open to the entire community, with all proceeds, from the door to the sale of the sweet threads, going to the School of the Arts. The event will also feature performances by DJ Scout and Tacoma band Don’t Tell Sophie.

“We wanted a way to combine a lot of different mediums of art,” says Kim.

“Performance art, visual art, photography — to help support the Tacoma School of the Arts in a [nonexclusive] benefit. Please come!” — Michael Stasiak

[Club SOTA, Friday, April 27, 7 p.m., $8, 1117 Broadway, downtown Tacoma]

Fashionable afternoon tea

Break out that hat, beaded purse and hankie: the Point Defiance Zoo Society will present their ninth Fashion Tea on Saturday, April 28, at 1 p.m. at the Emerald Queen I-5 Showroom.

While originally created as a showcase of formal fashions suitable for wearing to July’s Zoobilee, the event has evolved.

“We started adding in the casual flair just a few years ago,” explains Christine Roha, the Zoobilee manager who also has worked with producing the fashion show.

The “casual flair” this year will come from some of our favorite local boutiques — Dame Lola, Rocky and Coco’s, Sonja Clothing for Women, Tiki Lounge, Red Line, and Envy — as well as from Nordstrom, among others.

The models, diverse in age, shape, body, and skin color, are community members who will wear the clothes the day of the event.

Fashion is only a portion of the afternoon — live and silent auctions, entertainment, and a mysterious must-see guest appearance will also feature.

And while hats have been a hallmark of the “high tea” 21-and-over event, they’re not a necessity, nor are the hankie and beaded bag.  Semi-formal attire is recommended, though.

The $45 general admission will benefit the Zoo Society. — Jessica Corey-Butler

[Emerald Queen I-5 Showroom, 2024 E. 29th St.,  Tacoma, 253.404.3633]

The Puyallup Spring Fair fun

The kid and I sat above the fairgrounds in a wobbly umbrella-covered enclosure, surging over that precarious point in the ferris wheel where I swore to God we would be pitched over, knocked off balance with our mis-matched weight, and die a horrible death.

We didn’t, and I will freely admit that yes, I am a ride-wuss (and afraid of heights, to boot!)
Even still, there was more to be enjoyed at the Puyallup Spring Fair than the rides, though the wee one was happy to partake of the swing ride, the kiddie coaster, and the aforementioned ferris wheel.

We also saw the baby animals, which included the sweetest five-week-old pygmy goats ever, as well as freshly-hatched chicks, and adult animals like a huge male pig (dude—those things are…errr…big) sheep, dancing horses, and cattle.  The wee one milked a faux-cow, planted a pumpkin and admired reptiles in the Kid zone, played a game on carny row (lost, of course) and enjoyed cotton candy while waiting in line to catch a trout—and catching one!
She heartily enjoyed herself.

Until the end, as we were walking out.  She grew surly in her inimitable 5 year-old way, and said that I never let her have any fun.

Guh?

Well, yeah, remember that haunted house I wouldn’t let her ride?  That’s what she remembered most from the experience.

What I remembered most?  Moment number one: in line at the trout pond.  Boy walks up to mother in line, she shouts something like, “boy, I told you to keep the gun in the stroller!”  I look down to see a (plastic) semiautomatic toy gun in his hands.

Guns and strollers?  Weird.  Almost as weird as kids on leashes and harnesses—many of them.
Moment number two:  in line at the swing that goes around and around and around and around (the kids look excited about the first three times.  Then they look…bored.)

A man hollers out his kid’s name, she’s about ten feet away from him.  He hollers again, starting to run toward her. He yanks her little hand, hauls her up into the air, and unceremoniously plops her into the stroller behind her. She doesn’t flinch or cry; she’s about my daughter’s age.

Ya gotta love a fair.

Divine inspiration at Tacoma style extravaganza

In her statement welcoming the crowd to the Head to Toe Hair and Fashion Extravaganza Saturday night at the Tacoma Elks Lodge, Judy Neal, owner if Valentino’s Hair and Wig Boutique mentioned Don Imus, and suggested, “I’m happy to be nappy.” It was an ironic moment, since the hair on show was all kinds of up-to-the-minute, ultra-chic artistry.

The vibe of the evening was decidedly upbeat and purpose-driven, with improvised live music setting a backdrop of excitement that blended one moment seamlessly into the next.  Pam Bowman and Quiana Davis, and the Royalty Dancers also lent to the very classy feel to the evening. The presence and appreciation of the pastors in presence was also a nice touch.

Some segments were skits, while others were dance numbers.  Sets were organized by salon, highlighting the talents of eight salons with several designers in each one.

Designers were promenaded and lauded with their styles, which included braids, updos, falls, extensions, innovative cuts, and amazingly creative combinations of these elements.

The Grand Finale featured a dance number. I was almost confused about the hair there — It was covered in intricate wraps, which I thought were the hair art.  I was, happily, wrong, and learned in the process that these kinds of wraps are recommended for helping care for some of these elaborate styles.

Stools were set up on stage, and stylist Heylina Wright emerged.  With energy and élan, she unwrapped the models’ heads and brushed out the styles she had previously created; two of my favorite styles actually belonged to a mother daughter pair, though the piece de resistance ponytail with fabulous flip front was also gorgeous.

It was a divine end to an inspired evening. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Toward creating fairyopolis

Yep, I’m still in fairy mode, ostensibly for the kid, though I seem to be getting more for myself, now that I’ve found a love for all things Crescent Moon Gifts at the Freighouse Square in Tacoma.

In the interest of organizational beauty, I had to break down and buy a couple of calendars — they were buy one get one free, after all; and in that process, I had to buy a couple (okay, four) candles, which came with affirmations to make their mysteriously good scents blend that much better. (OK, got the “creative” affirmation down — now to get the “be organized and timely” affirmation candle.)

Then there were the stones, a rose quartz, an amethyst, and a prosperity-scripted jade.
But lest you think I’m all about me when I shop, I offer this: For the kid, I bought a tooth fairy box that, sadly, the puppies destroyed as it apparently looked like a pig’s ear or bully stick.

Also purchased for the kid a coloring book that was cheap — er, inexpensive —and is her favorite to color in to date, as well as a book on the care and feeding of fairies, more or less, that came with figurines which, apparently, do not look like bully sticks or pigs ears.
Next purchase: a candle for the pups, with an “I will not eat inappropriate items” affirmation?

Resting on an off weekend

Every now and again a person needs a weekend “off.”

I took one last weekend, since the significant one was home in-between schooling obligations. 
Which actually meant, paradoxically, more work and busy-busy time for me than the weekends I’m working.

Hmm, what’s up with that?

Of course the weekend also meant fine dining and arts and entertainment galore,
just not the kind of fine dining and arts and entertainment that I typically enjoy (with a few exceptions.)

As I had some work I had to do in the morning of our first day, I lucked out of missing a trip to Odyssey I, a  kiddie wonderland in University Place that basically is set up like a habitrail for small two-legged individuals, in addition to having arcade-like games a’ la Chuck E Cheese (but no beer.)

Our first night dinner together, at Red Robin, sort of set the tone for what the rest of the weekend’s fine dining would entail, though you couldn’t really observe the tone over the din.

Day two involved a trip to the SuperMall to get wee one some new togs; she picked out her tooth fairy toy (the glittery magical thing left her a tenner — no fair, I shouted — I only ever got quarters, when I was even left any money at all) and rode a cat on the carousel; we headed north to the Westfield Mall (is it the Southcenter Westfield? I have no idea how that private branding malls things works anymore) to hit fine dining #2, the Rainforest Café. Our “safari” had to wait 50 minutes for a seat, which was situated in the prime real-estate “trail” to the restroom, and the meal was…um… fine. (truth: my salad-limp.  Cheese sticks? Soggy. Yellowtail Shiraz? Overpriced, but fine.)

That night, the significant one and I met up with good friends at Paddy Coyne's, where my steak salad was great, and where my wine was, once again, fine.

Kulture Lab, after dinner, was good fun, but I guess the boys in our party wanted to check out extreme death fighting (Ultimate Fighting? I don’t know) on cable; we were home early, since the Significant One was still, physically, set to Eastern Time.

The next day was mellow, with time at the park riding her park for the wee one while I got to launder clothes.  Note to homemakers all over: Georgia mud, once set, does not readily come out of ACUs. 

As a show of his appreciation, the man took us to Carl’s Jr, where I ate quite possibly the largest burger I’ve ever seen in my life.  With a salad and diet lemonade, since I was calorie conscious or something.

More laundry, and re-watching Flushed Away while drinking cheap pink wine spritzers ended day three, while a headache began day four.

He worked, we spent more family time together later in the day, and I cooked a tenderloin, French fingerling potatoes with European-style butter and hand-picked rosemary, and asparagus and mushrooms, all procured by Dave's Meat and Produce (except for the rosemary — that was courtesy my unkempt garden).

It was a fine, peaceful end to a not entirely peaceful weekend, but sometimes the odd weekend of rest makes you appreciate that even when rest is available, it’s often not the chosen option. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Want to be a model?

Hopeful models-to-be will strut their stuff on Thursday, March 15, at the “Rock Your Prom” fashion show open call at the Tacoma Mall for models hoping to “make it” as a model.

Noreen Hobson, who loves the term “make it,” will be there looking for those shining brightest.
The driving force behind LUX Talent in Tacoma (formerly NFI), Hobson will not only be helping JCPenney and Seventeen put on the show, she’ll be keeping an eye out on the prospects she sees.

So what will Hobson be looking for?  Check it here. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Support your sisters!

They’ve been with you through the good and bad times, close to your heart.

So why are you letting them down with an ill-fitting bra?

Nordstrom Tacoma, in association with Wacoal and the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, is putting on an event on March 15 that will teach you all you need to know about why — and how — to support your sisters.

Says Stacey Ellis, after explaining the day to me, “We’re very passionate about this event.”

With good reason — it’s a win win win situation that one could get passionate about.

Attend one of two free seminars on fit — at noon, and at 6 p.m. — a nd learn the whys and wherefores of good bra fit.

Schedule a fitting anytime on that day, and Wacoal will donate $2 to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer foundation, which Nordstrom will match with another $2.  Purchase a bra by Wacoal, Donna Karan, or DKNY, and another $2 will be donated.

Call ahead for seminar reservations or to schedule your fit: 253.475.3630 x 1240 — your sisters will thank you for it! — Jessica Corey-Butler

Models wanted!

So you wanna be a supermodel?

Possibly your first step toward that might be the event happening at the Tacoma Mall on Thursday and Saturday, the “Rock Your Prom” extravaganza hosted jointly by Seventeen Magazine and JCPenney.

If you’re 13-21 and think you have what it takes to strut your stuff on a catwalk in a prom dress, show up Thursday, March 15, at the JCPenney Court, at 3 p.m. for the Model Call. 
Leave your Zoolander “Blue Steel” face at home, and come prepared to strut, dance, and smile down the runway.  The fashion show and concert will be held Saturday. March 17 at 1 p.m.

This event will culminate on Saturday, March 17, with models chosen performing in the actual “Rock Your Prom” fashion event, which will feature “Over It” playing live. — Jessica Corey-Butler

RAGS sell for a worthy cause

Last night's RAGS Wearable Art Sale and Gala at was the scene of much art.  Most of this art was carried around on moving canvasses, bodies showing off last years’ purchases or modeling items for sale this year. 

The wine flowed freely, loosening purse strings (present company included) while the jazz music from the trio of musicians known as the Kareem Kandi Band added to the ambience of the evening.

The diverse crowd of people wandered around the completely altered Mercedes Benz of Tacoma, oohing, ahhhing, sipping, and buying.

For myself, I blew my paycheck on one of Maureen-Galloegos’ embellished handbags, a couple of pairs of Diane Vermalen’s felted wool ballerina slippers (I love them so much I slept in them!) a Lisa Kinoshita leather necklace, a button bracelet from Theresa Owens and chandelier earrings and a matching fabulous multiple strand pearl bracelet by Jessica Alexander.  Seeing Britt Simone and Marty from Vinosus (and planning future purchases) was good fun, as was running into family friends from long ago.  There’s nothing quite so satisfying as having your childhood best friend’s father grabbing you wine and dropping f-bombs. 

Ahhh, sweet adulthood.

Also satisfying: knowing the large wad of dough I dropped was going to a worthy cause, the YWCA’s domestic violence programs.

You too can get some cool stuff for a worthy cause through Sunday, at the Mercedes Benz of Tacoma. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Hatless in Tacoma

Bobble Tiki sees them on the coldest South Sound days, when the merciless wind takes the breath right out of his lungs and snot freezes in his soul patch: people without hats.

Hey, South Sounders, it's freakin’ cold out! Put a damn hat on!

Is your fauxhawk really all that important? Or maybe you feel silly in a toque. How attractive do you think you are with red ears, shivering like a cold idiot?

Now, not everyone owns a hat — it's a heartbreaking but true observation on the state of the social safety net. Even those who do might be prone to losing them; maybe that sniffling wretch has just left his on the Tacoma Link. But people with hoods who don't raise them have no excuse. A hood is the definitive hat — it even takes care of your neck and the sides of your face. Whenever Bobble Tiki sees a hood lying limp on the back of some freezing moron, it fills him with such rage that he can barely keep his gloved hands off the moron’s scarfless throat ... but, you know, it's just so cold out. — Bobble Tiki

Monsoon Room goes chocolate velvet

Even if you knew nobody at Tacoma's Monsoon Room at the "Parfait Amour" event last night, you couldn’t help but meet and mingle in the intimate space; even if you didn’t drink wine, you couldn’t help but find one to love; and even if you were a jewelry minimalist, you couldn’t help but ooh, ahh, and covet.

Of course, I did see several of my favorite people, I do drink wine, and I do love jewelry (though I don’t wear much of it) so in my eyes, the event was an unqualified success.

Owner Laura Malone was stunning in her retro red strapless frock as she shopped through the jewelry by Lisa Kinoshita and Rebecca Aldrich.  The pieces by Kinoshita had a edgy organic feel, while Aldrich had a storyteller’s aesthetic with surprising twists. While Kinoshita played with scale and natural materials like horn, stone, and metal, Seattle artist Aldrich played with whimsy; birds doubled as clasps, while rings served as pincushions.  As different as the pieces were, each artist’s work complimented the other’s.

And while Aldrich and Kinoshita’s wearable art was appreciated, it was the wine and background music that made the event soar.  Ty Cline of Unique Wine Company showcased a great flight of wines ranging from the Fantinel Prosecco from Italy, to the Roshambo “The Reverend” Zinfandel from California, to the Marenco Brachetto d’Aqui (“best served with strawberries and chocolate!” recommends Cline) and lastly, the Deco Chocolate Port (mmmm!)

And the perfect backdrop to this chocolaty glam event was music spun by Chris Oglesby, a musician with an impressive vinyl collection, largely courtesy of his father.  He spins Wednesday nights from 9:30 p.m. to midnight at the Monsoon Room, when you can try the Rock Paper Scissors Mertlot tasted at the event as well as the Fantinel Prosecco for yourself. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Taking a vacation on South Tacoma Way

It’s cold.  I’m ready for a hot vacation.  But I’m broke. So, naturally, I head down South Tacoma Way.

My friend Maria and I make the Olympus Spa our destination, casting off the thoughts of snow with our clothes as we head to the pools and heated rooms that transplant us into Shangri-la for the afternoon.

I‘ve also scheduled myself a wrap, which I thought was the same as the moisturizing treatment I’ve seen.  I was wrong, gloriously wrong.

The moisturizing treatments look like dying and going to salad heaven — basically, you sit in an open treatment room with up to six other women, all as naked as you, and get olive oil rubbed on your body and cucumber mulch packed onto your face. In the same rooms, the exfoliating body scrubs also happen, where teeny, biking-shorts clad Korean women harf on every part of your body with what is, effectively, plastic sandpaper.  Your skin tingles and glows like you’ve just drunk a gallon of neon after this treatment, and even the rougher parts of you feel like a newborn baby’s bum.

It’s divine, even when the woman scrubbing you is pulling up a butt cheek to get at skin you had no idea needed exfoliating.

But today, I’m not getting one of those treatments. After sitting in the 104 degree hot-tub, the 97 degree hot-tub, the 93 degree mineral bath, and then back to the 97 degree tub, I get taken by massage therapist Kari Welch into a private room, and get a mud-like concoction, good for detoxification, slathered on me.  Then I’m wrapped in a plastic sheet (painter’s drop cloth?) and one of those mylar emergency blankets. I get a sublime face and scalp massage, and then sit for a while. 

For me, it’s excruciating. I’m a multi-tasker by nature, but here in the dark, sweating profusely, I can do nothing but clear my mind and relax.

Time passes quickly.  I shower, and then decide to extend my “vacation” by going into the Sand Room.  The thing I love about this room is that I can pretend I’m on a beach, and create wells for the parts of my body that extend beyond flat (use your imagination.)  I can only last in the heat for about 15 minutes, after which I sit on the heated flat room in between the waiting room, the wet room, and the heated rooms.  Groups sit and chat, or read magazines, or, like me, just rest.

It’s about time to get back onto the ice, so I make one last visit to the wet room, shed my robe, and heat my body up in the 104 degree tub.  Nearly poached to well-done, I head over to the 60 degree pool (with waterfall!) and do the super-quick dunk, then rinse off with a sluicing from the mugwort well.

My vacation is abruptly ended as I walk into a parking lot covered with ice, while snow flurries around; but even though I’m no longer relaxing in the heat with a group of naked women, the warm afterglow remains with me. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Enjoying the Tacoma white stuff

My kid wakes me up like a bad '80s remix of a bad '80s song, repeating herself ad-nauseum in a club-dub, “Mom, mom, mom, can we go out now? Mom, mom, I wanna go out. Mom, mom mom, can we go out now? Mom, mom, I wanna go out.” (Repeat.)

Mumbling something unintelligible, I hurtle myself out of bed toward the coffeepot.

First cup of coffee later, she appears again, in hat, gloves, Capri jeans, snow boots, tee-shirt.  “I’m ready!”

This is the kid who, on school days, can’t get a sock on in under an hour.

I help to re-dress her, and then squeeze myself into my snowboard clothes.  On our way to Vassault park, we see snow-shovelers, a mailbox knocked out of the ground by a wayward car, a stuck SUV, an electrical van spinning wheels in an attempt to get up a hill, and a cross-country skier.

We get to the hilly party on Vassault Park, and play the super fun game of kid-slides-down, mom-carries-the-sled-back-up.

Twice, I sit into the plastic sled.  First time, with her, we go wicked fast, hitting a snow bank on the bottom.  That thing was huge, must have been, like, six inches.  Next time, I sit alone, hurtling through space, nearly flattening a kid on a blow-up ring.  Same snow bank stops me, sending snow flying straight into my nostrils.

Wheeee.

She serenades me with Christmas songs as I lug her home (she’s tired and frozen, and couldn’t possibly walk, she tells me) and we see more snow-shoveling, smiling people.
And I’m thinking, yeah, it’s like Christmas, without the stress.

The power of powder. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Old is new with Tacoma's Friends of the Rag

They’re a group of friends pulled together by their interest in creating eclectic fashions, and they decide to create together, and put on shows.  Eventually, the shows morph into multi-disciplinary entertainment events that drew crowds in some swank venues.

It might sound like something you’ve heard about locally, centering around the likes of groups like prime.all and the Loyalty Conglomerate.

But it’s not.  It’s Friends of the Rag, and it’s a group of locals who formed in 1972.

Indian Owen put together a talk about the group on Jan. 9 at the Tacoma Shool of the Arts, illustrated by some examples from her 5,000-slide collection that illustrated the history of the group.  Initially, they banded together to put on street-wear shows in the traditional fashion, charging money for entry to the shows, and even optimistically pricing the clothing, intending to sell it.

They were not just creative with the clothing, they were creative with the events, which had names (and themes matching the names) like “Dynamite Dud,s” “Hung at the Henry,” the “Prodigal Rag Returns,” “Roller Rags,” and “In A Somewhat Random Fashion.”

At about 1976, the group became more interested in the costuming side of wearable art, and the performance side of showing the art.  They did one show at Bumbershoot, “As the Rag Turns.”

“Space Western Hoedown in a Martian Fashion” marked another point at which the group was really more about the ensemble performance than the individual items of clothing.

But the individual items of clothing kept evolving creatively, as well.  In 1988, when the group put together “Night of the Living Thread,” Owen put together a trio of pieces notable for their amazing bead work-helmets, with tubing (and tusks) marking them as not-quite human.  Their names, “Planet Clair,” “Hullabaloo,” and “Shindig” further emphasize the nature of the pieces. These three pieces were joined by those of Owens’ friend Corky.  My favorite was “Olive Oil” with pimiento-tipped green pumps and a T-shirt that proclaimed “Extra Virgin.”  This piece was for the event, “Cheesy Nights and Saucy Women,” and was joined by “Spaghetti Western” and a circle-dress featuring pizza.

As the evening progressed, I couldn’t help but feel the whole interconnected, “full circle” vibe.  These indie designers had done, 20-plus years ago, something vital, and fun, and not at all unlike what our talented and indie Tacoma designers are doing now.

That made me happy.

What made me kind of sad, was that those who most emulate the creative spirit of the Friends of the Rag weren’t present. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Here comes the bride ... and the pizza

A couple will be married at The Rock Wood Fired Pizza on Jefferson Avenue at midnight tonight.  I bet they will have a Crazy Train pizza at the reception. — Suzy Stump

Hot people on a cool Tacoma night

At some point in the '80s, a friend took me to see a drag show at the Polar Bear.  Hot women were afoot, although they were men, and the city was alive, albeit in that scary sort of way.
Fast forward to last night’s fashion show between Rocky and Coco’s and Dame Lola, when downtown went uptown.

Beauty prevailed, flustering a usually suave Volcano lounge rat Brad Allen into admitting, “I had to leave early, there were too many beautiful people and I was getting flustered.”  But, Brad, You ARE beautiful people!

Even still, I kind of felt his pain, looking around me at the scorching hot people assembled before me. Fortunately, champers on tap alleviated the ache somewhat, with some crazy-cool tracks laid by DJ Josh Comer making the space oh-so-tangibly-cool.

Foremost, the shop owners themselves, Rebecca Dashow and Katy Jayne, dressed to kill in Miguelina and Prada pumps, respectively, drove the beauty of the evening, with adoring partners in tow. While Dashow put her man to work serving champagne, Jayne’s guy sat back and chilled in the still of the night.  Crowds milled, loved, and bought clothes, while sipping the bubbly.

At Rocky and Coco’s the models, coiffed by Salon Auberge Du Soleil out of Federal Way, meandered through the crowds, while at Dame Lola, the models perched on sometimes precarious podiums and let us stare adoringly at lovely clothes on beautiful, real people.

We contributed $5 to get champagne, goodie-bags, and hors d’oevres, all of which went to a great cause — Tacoma’s Fund for Women and Girls.  Janet Stanley, enjoying the fun with her daughter Mackenzie, says for the organization, “We promote generosity among women.” Cheers to that!

Dashow’s models were a collection of her friends and clients; among my favorites were Chelsea, whose birthday wish was to go to a fashion show with her mom.  Dashow trumped her wish and put her in one.  Also a fave, Jennifer Robbins, of J Robbins Florist fame, sporting a fabulous vintage (Grandma Sally) mink mini-stole clasped with a fabulous broach — courtesy of Dashow’s own collection — and Rebecca Taylor dress, with the shoes to die for — turquoise peep-toe pumps with red soles.  On the podium next to Robbins, Trina Jones, photographer extraordinaire, sporting a look she classifies as “I’m sort of Bohemian a little bit” with velvet faux shearling coat, a fabulously bright skirt, layers that included my favorite “Baked Pop Tarts” tee (go in and see it, and buy it!) and the Piece de Resistance, to me, the (Arrrrg!) pirate boots I bought for myself early in the fall.

Jayne’s models flashed flesh, twirled, and sported Diane von Furstenburg, among them were the owner of Salon Auberge Du Soleil, Donna.

After the shows, I met up with some of the beautiful crowd from Rocky and Coco’s, which included a famous artist, a fabulously smart groundwater engineer who also happened to be a fabulously smart dresser, and a fabulously gorgeously radiantly amazing survivor of a woman at the Pacific Grill for Chill!, which was, thanks to DJ Lulu Spice, oh-so-tangibly-cool.  She played a mean "Blue Monday" and old Cure and as I suckled smoky-sweet meat candy for the first time, I sighed, “ahhhh, I’m ho-o-me…”

The Pacific Grill swelled with beautiful people as DJ Josh and a retinue of cool DJ folk including DJ Broam (who also has a glass-blowing day job), and who were later joined by a radiantly fabulous and fur-bedecked Laura Malone.

At which point, I knew well and truly, I was outclassed and out way too late, since I, too, have a day job.

Good times, good threads, good tunes, good city.

Good night! — Jessica Corey-Butler

Tacoma indie teen hits the big time

Brooke Bennett, a Gig Harbor High School student, Tacoma Community College Running Start attendee, and all around nice person can now add another item to her resume: professional fashionista.

Bennett’s styles were highly regarded at this past Saturday's “House of Kubla Khan — Tacoma Indie Fashion Showcase” event at Indochine, where three of her items paraded the runway, clinging to their models. 

While her upholstery fabric, pheasant print short jacket was decidedly cool, it was the white with red-floral-print dress that had a number of us drooling, including the girl who modeled the dress for her.

But all reports were Bennett didn’t want to sell the dress since it was the first one she’d made.
My own first item made, a bad Barbie dress of Kleenex, never made any runways, nor did it survive its first disrobing.  If I recall correctly that was pretty much the last clothing item I ever designed and put on a model.

Props go to Bennett for holding it together in a crazy busy time, for churning out great indie fashion, and for a professional and polished product. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Mondo Bizarro in Tacoma

After last year’s last-minute attempt to put together a Halloween costume, I've learned there may be wisdom in planning a little earlier — like do it tomorrow.

I'm off to see the new Mondo Bizarro store inside downtown Tacoma's Sanford and Son. After six years of owning and operating a similar shop in Charleston, South Carolina, Peter and Julie Triplett have made their way back home to open Mondo Bizzaro decided that it was time to return to their home state of Washington and their new business on Tacoma’s Antique Row in the Theater District.

There's has to be something Halloween-ish in their store loaded with alternative comics, robots, vinyl toys, and curious gifts. — Suzy Stump

World Wide Dame

That fashion forward female Rebecca Dashow has illustrated her entrepreneurial innovation yet again by launching a Web site with her beautiful treasures. Stopping by her downtown Tacoma shop is tough to pass up, but if you don't have time, rock the Web site. Other features of the site will include a monthly newsletter, cool event pictures, and a "looks” category to see the clothes put together. Dashow is even going to let me change the lyrics of the song to "Whatever Natasha wants, Natasha gets." So true, so true. — Natasha

A taste of North Africa in Tacoma

Downtown Tacoma will soon see an occupant in the building directly across from the Pantages Theater at Ninth and Broadway.  A shop specializing in Moroccan interiors is set to move in, but if you need a taste of North Africa before that happens, head to the Sanford and Son shops (or swing by Wednesday as you do the 100th Monkey Party there) and see Sorella.  Opulent sheer drapes, hanging lanterns in star shapes and gorgeous colors, pashminas that can double as sofa throws, and beautiful stoneware from Tunisia all occupy Cyndi Sorrell’s space.  Though she admits to being nervous about the newcomers, the new owners, who’ve spoken with Sorrell, intend to find a way to coexist rather than compete. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Olympia Street of Dreams review

While I was attending school studying interior design, trips to Street of Dreams homes were, to us, what trips to Disneyland are, to little Princess-crazed girls.  My recent trip to the Olympia Street of Dreams had me feeling a bit like an adolescent revisiting Disneyland, disenchanted and disappointed.

My first impression of the event, as seen through the windows of the school bus that shuttled us from the Target Place parking lot to the development, the Reserve at Cooper Point, was that there weren’t a lot of houses.  The houses themselves were impressively massive, styled a sort of Craftsman-lodge-meets-a-bit-of-French-Provincial-with-a-twist-of-Victorian.  Off to the undeveloped side of the road, beauty bark replaced the leveled wild vegetation, which was echoed by the faux-stones on facades of houses and in water features.  My daughter loved the yard with the concrete teddy bear and hollow-log water feature while my own hands twitched for a game of miniature golf.

Inside the houses, which we viewed through the crowds of people, all of us wearing the ubiquitous blue booties over our shoes, I noticed an odd proportion in the living spaces.  Kitchens were dominated by mammoth granite islands (small continents, actually) with the first house we visited, the Deschutes, dominated by not one, but two monolithic continent-events, as well as a wet-bar off the second “continent.”  The huge island in the second house, The Arcadia, only provided seating for three, although the outdoor kitchen provided more opportunities for sitting and lounging.  Bedrooms were on the small size, with master bathrooms almost rivaling the size of the bedrooms they adjoined.

It felt to me like overall the homes were designed with an eye toward what would be “showy” — a walkway akin to a catwalk across the living space in the Deschutes crossed the random-ashlar faux-stone chimney, looking down over the twin continents in the kitchen and the big-screen TV of the great room. I noted that the other homes, too, seemed big on style, not so big on function; it seemed that in many cases, “living” was done in front of a large-screen flat-panel television. 

For the rest of the story, jump to our Myspace site. — Jessica Corey Butler

Tacoma rock star Supernova

Najamoniq Todd uses a razor to cut a longer-looking style into Gavin Drummond’s hair.

Supernova Hair and Tattoo hair designer Najamoniq Todd knows Tacoma.  And she knows hair.
The two will combine for her this weekend when she helps Jason Ganwich by doing all of the hair for his upcoming zombie movie shoot, and then when she does the same for a photo shoot project called “Glam fantasies from Rock and Roll.”
Originally from Oakland, Todd’s been a Tacoma resident for over a decade and loves her vantage of the city in the hair and tattoo salon Supernova, which has been open just under a year. After some community college for business classes, Todd knew where her heart was and got into cosmetology, finishing up her education with time at the Gene Juarez advanced course.  Her advice to prospective hair artists is “get your cosmetology license anywhere, save $10,000; then go to the advanced course.”
Advice for prospective clients: While Todd says she will cut you into a faux-hawk with a tail or give you big ’80s rocker hair, she says, “I will not cut a mullet.”
Her hot new hair tip: “Steps are the new thing. I love steps.” — Jessica Corey-Butler
Supernova Hair & Tattoo, 817 Division, Tacoma, (253) 428-8288

A pregnant pause on Pac Ave

There's something happening at the north end of Tacoma's Pacific Avenue.  I walked the stretch between 9th and 7th and discovered a sort of pregnant feeling going on. 
There's the soon to open Pita Pit, and the new Body Evolution Spa. 
Through Friday, Aug. 11, Ever After is having a huge sidewalk sale, with cool stuff and prices slashed.  I mean really, really slashed.  Check out the great grab bags for a buck — My daughter totally loved hers.
The main signs of new life are in the spaces on the corner of 8th Street where the new Matador restaurant will open.  Also, in the middle of 9th, where a Paddy Coynes will soon serve Irish fare.
Walking through the sawdust of what will be the new Matador, I saw signs of progress, between piles of lumber waiting to be wall studs, and boxes of other building supplies. 
Builder Brian Okroy, who has worked with Matador owners Zak Malang and Nate Opper for the West Seattle and Ballard locations, talks about the style of the building.
“It's kind of urban retro," he says.  "There'll be a lot of ornate metalwork, a really nice fireplace, a lot of cherry.  The owners do their research, we know the people are here (in Tacoma). We're really excited about the build-out.”
Oct. 1 is the anticipated arrival date of the Matador, and it might be just the thing that sets the area up to be the new 6th Avenue.
Also on Pac Avenue, there are the existing lunch and beverage anchors Meconi's and Vin Grotto, and Indian food at India Mahal.  There's long-time tenant The Learning Sprout where, on the first Saturday of every month, kids 3-12 can take part in art and craft activities.
“There's always something interesting going on!” says proprietor Rose Colvin.
How does Colvin feel about the current pregnant feeling in the air?
“I've been here since 1997," she says.  "I've watched it grow and change and it's really awesome."  “I see this area as being like Belltown (in Seattle)”
Andy Kenser, tending bar at Meconi's, and Dave Meconi agree with that assessment. 
“On the development side of things, it's all good,” says Meconi. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Embellish Salon hosts grand opening festival

If you survive this weekend's festivals — Hotrod-A-Rama, Woofstock, Proctor and University Place festivals — pound the Rock Star all week because more is on its way, including this one. — Suzy Stump

• Forward Tacoma reports: Embellish Salon is turning their move from 545 St. Helens to 1121 Court D into more than a grand opening function. They’ve partnered with Tacoma Arts Community to create a community festival on Aug. 19 from noon to 6 p.m. on Court D, featuring salon tours, a VIP tent for Embellish clients, various artists and artisan booths, food vendors, and live music. Embellish will also be recording a 12-track CD of the musicians playing that day, with proceeds going to Tacoma Arts Community and a Jazzbones philanthropic group that gives music instruments to children. Visual artists are being invited to submit art for the cover of the CD. For more information call Embellish at (253) 752-8144.

Waxing a wrong number

In today's Weekly Volcano on page 13 I had my head up my Brazilian when I incorrectly listed Tracy Marie's phone number as (206) 349-3790. That's the number for
Erin Laycock.  Tracy Marie can be reached at (253) 383-7782. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Whatcha wearing?

University of Washington Tacoma student Katie Linehan, of Olympia, sports new duds purchased at Nordstrom. 
“It was ‘the Sale,’ so I stocked up,” she explains almost apologetically.
The jeans are by Hydraulic (and look almost — gasp! — acid-washed, but in a good way), and the sleeveless cowl-necked sweater is by Frenchie.  Her earrings are also from Nordstrom; though the necklace, a gift from her brother, is unmistakably Tiffany’s.  Her bags are by Coach (purse) and Dickies (schoolbooks).  Cori at Marie Alice Salon in Olympia does her hair. — Jessica Corey-Butler

Mash-Up

When urbanXchange turns one on July 29, nobody will be smashing cake into the baby’s face. Instead there will be a mash-up dance party anniversary extravaganza with DJ Colin at Club Zoe at 9 p.m. (1710 Market St., Tacoma)
Mash-up? It’s kind of like if the Gypsy Kings met Johnny Cash and the train-beat stayed the same.  Different genres, same beat — good music and good times will coalesce.  “It’ll be a postmodern party, minimalist but kind of techie — the type of party that would be held in a Soho art loft,” says store owner Julie Bennett about the event at Club Zoe and sale happening at the store Saturday and Sunday.  The urbanXchange is at 1934 Pacific Ave. in downtown Tacoma.  For more information, call (253) 572-2280.  — Jessica Corey-Butler

Fire and water Sundries

Fire and Water Sundries just moved from the Frieghthouse Square to its new location (711 St. Helens, Tacoma, (253) 272-4255) and now is the time to help keep this important shop in business.  They are just down the street from Tully's.  While they sell handmade candles, soaps, potpourri, bulk herbs, bath salts, and one of a kind gifts, they also feature the following classes (their words):

• 8/1 Herbs and Pets, $25, 7-9 p.m.

Learn to treat your pet's health issues holistically with herbs.  From fleas to anxiety.  Herbs can do it all.  Even acupuncture.  Take home a variety of healing herbs for your pet.

• 8/3 Herbal potpourri, $20, 7-9 p.m.

Tired of using potpourri that you cannot identify?  Learn to construct an herbal potpourri filled with botanicals that not only smell good but also are good for your home and pets!

• 8/8-10 Candles 101 & 102, $30, 7-9 p.m.

Tuesday we will learn the techniques, types of wax materials used to produce candles.  Thursday each student will produce their own candle using the techniques learned.

• 8/15 Brews & Teas, $20, 7-9 p.m.

We'll cover all the ways to brew herbs from teas to decoctions.  From roots to flowers.  How we can use brews every day to enrich our bodies and lives.  You will take home the brew you develop.

• 8/22 8/24 Massage Oils 101 & 102, $30, 7-9 p.m.

A comprehensive lecture/make 'n take course.  We will learn the different types of oils used to construct massage/bath oil and the long list of essential oils, which can be used for aromatherapy.  Take home your finished oil.

• 8/29-31 Herbal Incense 101 & 102, $30, 7-9 p.m.

Learn the techniques of designing and building herbal incense.  From the herbs to the planets, all things are integral to the success of an herbal blend.  Cleansing your home, office or spiritual space is important. Make 'n take a blend home.

Support the little guys. — Michael Swan

Whatcha wearing?

Erin Finnigan explains her look du jour — an Urban Outfitters cardigan and True Religion jeans — as her “comfy and I can breastfeed, but it’s girly” outfit. “Usually I’m wearing Betsey Johnson; I’m addicted,” she adds.
Finnigan, along with her mom, Pauli, opened Sweet Life in Olympia almost a month ago. Located at 528 Capitol Way S., the store specializes in fabulously punk rock baby stuff, sexy lingerie for mom, and a variety of bath goodies.
As we chat, a customer excitedly gushes about the Jaqua line of products that Sweet Life carries and bemoans having just ordered some on the Internet.
In addition to enabling costumers’ pampering practices, Sweet Life’s proprietor is environmentally conscious.  When asked if the store uses paper or plastic bags, she replies: “Plastic. I recycle them for my dog poop bags.” — Jessica Corey-Butler