Military Life
Socks, bubble gum and a deck of cards. Cool gifts inside your Christmas stocking or just fillers? That depends on your perspective. But one thing's for sure - a well-stuffed Christmas stocking is a great thing to give, as well as receive. Stuffing stockings is often a balance of budget, practicality
Military Life
It's never too early to start your holiday shopping. If you love waiting until the last minute because, well, you hate dealing with the crowd, then how about trying a gift that's a little outside the box? We can sometimes end up spending hours debating whether or not we've gotten
Military Life
Nestled in the center of the Proctor neighborhood sits a shopping district where every sort of item can be found for gifting (and keeping!) Fashionista? Athlete? Kid? Budget-conscious, name-brand shopper? Quirky-kitschy-artsy, tough-to-please? Proctor shopping has something for all, plus more! Fashionistas - or those shopping for them - can find a
Military Life
For many circles of families and friends, watching holiday and Christmas episodes of their favorite shows is a tradition, often made all the better with a buffet of treats, sweets and holiday-themed drinks. If your repertoire of holiday specials has been the same for years, it may be time to add
Military Life
At this time of year, Christmas concerts are almost as ubiquitous as holiday sales and flashing lights. Live Gregorian chants, though, are about as common as sightings of Rudolph with his nose so bright. If you want to hear one of these rare performances, we know of only one place in
Music
Christmas is almost here, and that means the new year can't be too far away. Looking for something fun to do to welcome in 2016? Here are a few ideas to get you started: First Night Tacoma, Thursday, Dec. 31, Theater District, Downtown Tacoma, $10, www.firstnighttacoma.com. This annual family-friendly, alcohol-free event begins
Arts
"Ringside" at B2 Fine Art Gallery is an unusual departure from the regular fare at art galleries. It is an art exhibition about boxing, featuring photographs by veteran sports photographer Chris Farina, paintings by international kickboxer Kevin Brewerton, and paintings by Julie Snyder. Also listed in the show announcement is
Stage
In the great Finnish song cycle known as the Kalevala, compiled from folk tales by Elias Lönnrot in 1849, heroic first human Väinämöinen fights an epic battle against witch queen Louhi for a magical talisman, the Sampo. (Full marks if you're reminded of J.R.R. Tolkien, who acknowledged the Kalevala as
Music
I sometimes cast my mind back to a formative experience when I was around 13 years old. I had attended an old friend's Bat Mitzvah, followed by a reception at a local hotel. I found myself frequently huddled together with my male friend that came with me, avoiding any interactions
Arts
This season will mark the second annual Bonsai Solstice event at the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way. This unique event is centered on the bonsai tree, which many people choose to grow inside their homes as an artistic hobby. The living art known as bonsai is beautifully showcased within
Stage
Olympia Family Theater's A Charlie Brown Christmas is the same show that's been running on television as an animated story every Christmas season since 1965. I would venture to guess that at least 90 percent of the adults who bring their children to see this show have already seen it,
Music
Holiday happenings are part of what make the holiday season go ‘round. Whether you're heading out for a very rainy Christmas light adventure or a sing-a-long, chances are there's at least one holiday event in your future. And yet not all shows are created equal. Sure, you could go with
News Front
Staff Sgt. Jason Grieco bent over in the cold, driving rain as he struggled to start a Homelite Pro. The chainsaw refused to start. "You try it," he gasped to his battle buddy, Sgt. Elvis Linares. Linares leaned over and pulled and pulled and pulled on the starter cord. The saw remained
News Front
American Legion's national commander Dale Barnett is coming to DuPont to take part in a Walk for Veterans event Dec. 20. It's part of veteran's awareness. "I'm hoping for a couple hundred," said Bob Schwartz, adjutant of the American Legion Post in DuPont. "If we get overwhelmed. Oh darn." The two-mile walk, which
Military Life
For the eighth year running, soldiers assigned to the Madigan Army Medical Center's Troop Battalion and their family readiness group, or FRG, have made Christmas a bit more special for deployed hospital staff. Operation Santa Claus, an operation that would make the jolly guy himself proud, ended successfully. Over the past several
Archives
It’s hard to be motivated when you wake up to gray darkness. Exercise? Bah, what you want is more time in the covers, then coffee, then even more time back in the covers. But go outside and play with your friends, with the sometimes funky, sometimes functional, always fun social exercise
Archives
The newest salon in Tacoma opens in 25 minutes, and it’s already bustling. Owner Jolene is on the phone while Bridgette, who multi-tasks as esthetician and receptionist, offers coffee, tea and water to the people assembled in chairs waiting. Lisa, the other stylist currently working in the salon, breezes in right