AN INTERESTING EVENT A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY >>>

TONIGHT: The Rev. Colin will host Sing Like A Crooner Dress-A-Raoke tonight at the Tempest. With props plucked out of the, er, prop chest, singer will compete for Crooner Bucks, which may be turned in for fabulous prizes. Got get your Sinatra on - wearing a feather boa. March 4, 8 p.m., no cover, Tempest Lounge, 913 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma, 253.272.4904

FRIDAY: It's the first Friday of the month and that means only one thing: Dance Oly Dance. Head on over to TCTV Studio A on Olympia's Westside and dance to DJ PhilosoBitch's bumpin' set on TV! March 5, 8-9 p.m., no cover, TCTV, 440 Yauger Way SW, Olympia, lukon100@hotmail.com

SATURDAY: Local actors bring Washington state historical figures alive to discuss unsolved mysteries during Ghosts of the Great Hall: Unsolved Mysteries at the Washington State History Museum. Hunt for lost treasure with D.B. Cooper. Listen to the sole survivor of the Andelena shipwreck. Chat with a Can Can girl from Steve's Gay 90's in the '70s (haven't confirmed this one yet). March 6, 1-3 p.m., $6-$8, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.798.5877

SUNDAY: If James Cameron made a four-hour movie about paint drying, chances are it still wouldn't be as pointless as watching the Oscars. Check that - it wouldn't be as pointless as watching the Oscars alone in your sad little hobble. Watching the Oscars amongst friends at The Grand Cinema's annual Academy Award Party, on the other hand, is sure to be far more captivating than anything involving funny looking blue aliens. Hosted by Tacoma City Councilmember Marty Campbell, maestro Gavin Guss and "Tinseltown legend" Quinton Loyne-Packard, the Grand's Oscar party is sure to be a hoot. March 7, 4 p.m. red carpet, $15-$18, Rialto Theater, 310 S. Ninth, Tacoma, 253.572.6062

MONDAY: The dorky Graphic Novel Book Club will discuss DMZ, Vol. 1: On the Ground by Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli, which may be purchased at King's Books. It's the story about the ultimate embedded war journalist trapped in a most unlikely war zone: the streets of New York City. March 8, 7 p.m., no cover, 21 and older, 1022 South lounge, 1022 S. J St., Tacoma, 253.272.5801

TUESDAY: Take a break from the slots to watch Danny Vernon performs his dead-on Elvis impersonation.  March 9, 6:30 p.m., no cover, Red Wind Casino, 12819 Yelm Hwy. SE, Olympia, 360.412-5000

WEDNESDAY: Kirk Larson of the Social Security Administration will present "Social Security 101" at Cascade Park Vista assisted living community. Afterward, all the visiting children will cry. March 10, 6:30-8 p.m., Cascade Park Vista, 242 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.3833

THURSDAY: The crafty group Tacoma Is For Lovers hosts another Craft Night, this time welcoming Tacoma artist Chris Sharp who will introduce collage using a 1980s book on breakdancing as source material. Bring your own cardboard for impromptu head spins. March 11, 7 p.m., $15 fee for materials, King's Books, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.2672.8801

SATURDAY, FEB. 6, 2010 >>>

1. The Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association hosts "The Art of Chocolate" - a chocolate walk offered in conjunction with the First Saturday Art Walk from noon to 6 p.m.

2. As part of their Icons of Washington History exhibit, the Washington State History Museum will bring Washington state historical figures to life in the theatrical production, Ghosts of the Great Hall: Icons of Washington tours from 1-3 p.m.

3. D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts hosts the Reality Check Dance Troupe's 5th annual Krunk dance showcase featuring hip-hop music at 7 p.m.

4. Corson Swift, Dreams Jaded, and guests perform at 8 p.m. at Stonegate Pizza.

5. urbanXchange throws a launch party for its new fashion blog featuring live music live music, DJs, door prizes, art, photographers, fashion photo booth and a "Zoolander" Walk Off from 8-11 p.m.

MONDAY, JAN. 25 2010 >>>

1. Barefoot Collective's 8@8 event gives performance artists eight minutes to showcase their work before an audience at 8 p.m. inside the Tacoma City Ballet Studio B at the Merlino Arts Building.

2. Historian Todd Smith discusses how Washington state's national parks changed during The Great Depression and World War II from noon to 1 p.m. inside the State Capital Museum.

3. The PLU University Orchestra will perform repertoire from their January 2010 Alaskan tour from 4-6 p.m. inside Lagerquist Concert Hall.

4. The Swing Reunion Orchestra featuring Melanie Vail will perform "A Celebration of Swing" at 7 p.m. inside the Imperial Dragon restaurant.

5. Billy Roy Danger & the Rectifiers perform at 8 p.m. inside The Swiss.

LINK: Live music tonight in the South Sound

MICHAEL SWAN: WHY DON'T I EVER MAKE YEAR-END LISTS? >>>

Pitchfork has reviewed the decade in music with pitchfork.com/p2k. Start clicking around for The Social History of the MP3, The Decade in Pop, The Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s, The Top 50 Music Videos of the 200s and much more.

MICHAEL SWAN: FIRST CONVERSATIONS RE: TACOMA IS THURSDAY >>>

The Weekly Volcano loves Tacoma. If you sometimes don't, or if you're one of those daisies who can't quite commit to even being a Tacoman despite having lived here for more than a year, or if you're new and need to understand the ethos and pathos of Tacoma in a manner that will help you appreciate this place, Conversations RE: Tacoma, an ad hoc group, has taken it upon themselves to educate your sorry ass on Tacoma’s built environment �" past, present and future.

Conversations RE: Tacoma will do this through a three-part lecture series specifically designed to enhance your love of T-Town. Tacoma is not all deserted spaces and Pabst specials, although it's also not entirely without those gems either.

The first lecture �" “The City: Urban Tacoma’s Recent Past” �" will be held Thursday in the appropriate Washington State History Museum. In the 1980s and 1990s, the entire south end of downtown Tacoma and the adjoining waterfront underwent a complete makeover, which continues to generate discussion and controversy to this day. Three of the principals involved in this transformation �" developer David Allen, architect Bruno Freschi and historian Michael Sullivan �" will explain the personal, institutional, political, and business circumstances and alignments that led to this remarkable transformation of Tacoma’s urban core. Moderator David Nicandri, director at the History Museum, will keep it flowing.

MATT DRISCOLL: DAVID MCULLOUGH DOESN'T KNOW 1776 >>>

Maybe there was just more important stuff to do back in the day? For instance, 1776 �" the year. The Declaration of Independence was signed, the American Revolution was in full swing, Thomas Paine published Common Sense and, basically, our country was born.

Compare this to, say, 1997 �" perhaps known best for The Spice Girls. There’s really no comparison.

Now, take 1776 �" the band, which will hit Bob’s Java Jive tonight. A skinny, rock stained, American flag draped foursome from Portland, here’s a group of dudes that looks like they haven’t slept in a week touting a sound that’s as much Buffalo Springfield as it is the MC5 �" at least according to the band bio.

Personally, I hear way more Wayne Kramer than Neil Young, but maybe that’s just me.

While there might not be much that’s revolutionary about these psych rockers, they still pack way more punch than 1997.

[Bob’s Java Jive, with the Hugs, The Drug Purse, Night Beats, Saturday, Aug. 15, 8 p.m., 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

SUZY STUMP: HISTORIC TACOMA WATCH LIST >>>

OK, you live in Tacoma. You get this nifty block system. You know where old City Hall is. Find the Heidelberg Brewery? Not a problem. You’re ready to take it to the next level. That’s right, saving the city's past. Keeping historic Tacoma alive. How can you help?

Historic Tacoma developed a Watch List of nine architecturally significant historic sites on its mind. These sites, Tacoma’s history, are undergoing transition: some are ready to collapse, some are for sale, some are facing demolition, some are target practice for birds.

“Through our Watch List, we want to increase awareness of sites that are vulnerable �" these are the buildings and streetscapes that tell Tacoma’s story. We are literally watching these sites with concern and interest; each one contributes to Tacoma’s rich and unique built environment,” notes Historic Tacoma Board President, Sharon Winters, in a press release.

Historic Tacoma’s Watch List includes:

• Brewery District
• Pivotal buildings include the 1901-19 Pacific Brewing & Malting Company (for sale), Alt Heidelberg Brewery (facing demolition), 1927 Meadowsweet Dairy (for lease), 1910 City Shops &  Stables, and the 1911 Nisqually Power Plan Substation
• Elks Lodge, 1901 (for sale)
• First Congregational Church, 1907-08 (vulnerable)
• Luzon Building, 1891 (rehabilitation in process)
• John R. Rogers Elementary School, 1907 (for sale)
• Murray Morgan Bridge, 1913 (in transition)
• Trinity United Methodist Church, 1913-15 (rehabilitation in process)
• Union Club, 1888 (for sale)
• Wedge Neighborhood (seeking historic district status) Pivotal buildings on S. Sheridan include the Titlow Mansion

Are these sites history?

Again, I refer to the press release, “Historic Tacoma does not currently have the means to purchase, restore, or otherwise save any of the listed sites.  The organization is committed to bringing parties with the necessary resources and expertise together and to providing technical advice as requested.  But some of the sites will only be preserved with the support of local and involved grass root advocates.”

Watch Historic Tacoma’s Watch List at its Web site. Keep an eye on it. Read the descriptions of each site. Maybe even save one of these sites yourself. 

SUZY STUMP:  I MAY CUDDLE WITH YOU FOR WARMTH >>>

Whether you live here or are just passing through, candlelight guided walks showcasing Tacoma’s heritage and led by historians can be informative and fun.

And cold.

Wish it was a bonfire walking tour. I digress.

Brad Cheney, president of the Job Carr Cabin Museum board, will lead a candlelight tour through Old Town Tacoma Saturday pointing out former brothels, boarding houses and saloons.

[Job Carr Cabin Museum, Saturday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m., last tour at 8:45 p.m., $12-$15, 2350 N. 30th St., Tacoma, 253.627.5405]

J.M. SIMPSON: ORTING’S SOLDIER HOME >>>

One out of six individuals in Washington state is a veteran, and the state’s current veteran population stands at nearly 600,000.  With the wars going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, that number will continue to grow.

In order to meet this challenge, a part of Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs’ vision involves operating veteran centers such as the Soldiers Home in Orting. Opened in 1891, the institution is located on 181 acres and serves up to 183 residents needing both skilled nursing and assisted living care.

Among the buildings on the Orting campus, the 91-year-old Garfield Building �" named after the 20th president, James Garfield �" is slated to provide 30 permanent and transitional housing units, if the VA can repair it. The building was once used by veterans but now stands empty. Plans call for it to be renovated and put to use in meeting the needs of current and future veterans.

Give Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director John Lee credit; he is not going to stand by and allow veterans in the state of Washington to be ignored.

“Mr. Lee is about meeting our responsibilities to our veterans,” says Donald Lachman, special projects coordinator for the department, during a recent visit to the Soldiers Home and colony.  “A large part of this vision is using our resources wisely to serve our present and future residents.

“We’re taking a proactive approach; we’re doing more than waving the flag,” explained Lachman.

In part, this proactive approach involves upgrading buildings on the three soldiers’ homes in the state and preparing for the needs �" medical, therapeutic, psychological, and quality of life issues �" of the veterans returning from the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We’re not building a trillion dollar care center,” continues Lachman. “We want to use community based services to achieve our ends, and this represents an aggressive move forward.”

Lachman says that his department is dedicated to building relationships with local agencies, and he is confident that a private-public partnership will achieve the renovation of the Garfield Building. Construction is slated to begin in the near future.

“Not only is the city of Orting involved in this project, but we’ve got federal, state and county partners as well,” adds Lachman. “The building is a unique treasure, and we are committed to providing the services needed to allow our veterans to live in dignity and safety.”

The Metropolitan Development Council in Tacoma, which has done work on historic buildings, will conduct the renovation of the Garfield Building.

For more information, contact the Soldiers Home at 360.893.4515.

OWEN TAYLOR: THE WEEKLY VOLCANO IS AT THE DNC >>>

Re-Create 68: An Overview of What's To Come

Beginning on Aug. 24, the day before the Democratic National Convention officially begins, protesters from all over the world intend to make their voices heard loud and clear.

A week long series of protests have been organized by "Re-Create 68," a name which organizer Glen Spagnuolo says was chosen for its effectiveness in drawing attention and capturing a lost spirit.

"We knew that Recreate '68 was a provocative name, but we were very clear that we didn't call ourselves Recreate Chicago '68," Spagnuolo says, referring to the violent clashes between protesters and police. "In 1968, there were mass movements. Young people felt like they could actually change their government. Now, people have gotten so apathetic that they'd rather sit home and watch 'American Idol.' "

After suffering a defeat along with the ACLU in filing a free speech lawsuit against the so-called "Freedom Cage" - a penned-in location designated for protests well away from the Pepsi Center, where the delegates and actual convention will be - Spagnuolo is still very determined to make sure their voices are heard without their rights being trampled.

"We're saying we're not going inside that freedom cage, and we expect to be able to go to the Pepsi Center. We're going to push that limit." he says, "No American should be put inside of a cage and told that's where they're free."

However, reassures Spagnuolo, they will be adhering to a strict code of non-violence and peaceful protest, and have posted on their website a list of ten "Mutual Assurances" from all involved with their organization promising to behave themselves.

"There's a section of Re-create 68 that are more militant minded than other sections. But we've agreed that we are going to tamper down our militancy and act in a nonviolent way because right now nonviolence is the best weapon afforded to us," says Spagnuolo. "Violence is a fool's game. All it does is destroy the message."

All of this seems to be arriving at a boiling point, which both sides are equally bracing for. The Denver Police and City Council have their doubts. They’ve been spending a $50 million dollar security budget to set up a secret arrest processing center to house detainees. Denver has also been bringing in hordes of extra police, and has passed an ordinance barring squirt guns - which officials say can be filled with urine or noxious chemicals to use on police. They have even outlawed buckets, accusing event organizers of threatening to smear themselves with human feces in an attempt to avoid arrest.

Event organizers volunteered to withdraw all protests and vacate the city if the money designated for security was put to use in municipal applications such as education and health care. The city turned that offer down.

Spagnuolo remains obstinate in the face of the swelling circumstances, maintaining they are only observing their constitutional rights.

"We've said this time and time again. Do not blame us for the confrontational situation that is being created by this government and this local administration. We have tried everything we can to make our protests as legal and as nonviolent as possible, but the city has taken every step they can to make this a confrontational situation," insists Spagnuolo. "We don't want this confrontation. We want to be able to exercise our rights as peacefully as possible. But when they're creating a situation where they're training every day for violence, when they have the national guard put on call to come out and surround the Pepsi Center … you ask me about confrontation? You should be asking the city about it."

Beginning on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. the steps of the capitol building in Denver will host the "End All Occupations at Home and Abroad rally". Speakers will include Fred Hampton Jr., son of the slain Black Panther Leader, Ward Churchill, a prominent author and long time activist, and Ron Kovic, whose life and book Born on the Fourth of July was the subject of the Oliver Stone/Tom Cruise film. The rally will kick off with a performance from revolutionary hip-hop group and thorn in the side of authority Dead Prez and David Rovic, and will conclude back at the state capitol with a performance from Seattle-based conscious hip-hop duo Blue Scholars and Jim Page. Also recently added to the bill are the nominees for the Green Party presidential and vice-presidential ticket, Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente, much to the chagrin of the Green Party of Colorado - who has threatened to disassociate itself from them by canceling a fundraiser and even revoking their lodging accommodations. This is the first of five major rallies planned for the convention.

LINK: For more info visit www.recreate68.com

LINK: Are you going to the rally?