Emily Smith, a friend-of-a-friend, is one of many Americans who cannot eat grains like wheat and barley because they contain gluten. But, as far as I can tell, she ain’t doing any complaining. Here’s a list of gluten-free alternatives that she put together for me. Wasn’t that nice of her?

“The Stadium Bistro (N. Tacoma) can accommodate any food allergies. I have not personally been there, but rumor is that it is amazing. I have also had great luck at Anthony’s and The Lobster Shop (Ruston area). They are usually more than willing to accommodate any food concerns. Typically the manager comes out and makes sure everything is done correctly. If being gluten free is your only dietary restriction, check out the Sunny Valley Wheat/Gluten Free Bakery in Maple Valley (right off Highway 18). They have some of the most amazing things, and if you get there early, there is usually a 50% off section. For groceries, check out Marlene’s and The Met. McGregor’s is located on Pacific Ave (near 96th) and there is a wonderful gluten-free section for 50-70% off.”

Emily will also soon have a gluten-free website of her own. When she gets that up and running, I’ll be the first to let you know.

Dale

An occupational hazard among garden gnomes is the risk of back injuries. All of the standing in one spot day after day, night after night; it ain’t easy. Many are called to the profession, but few are chosen. So, when I took the Tacoma Gnome around to Savi Day Spa, located here at the Hotel Murano, his eyes lit up like… like… the eyes of a garden gnome whose sacroiliac needs some TLC. Although he insisted he couldn’t stay long, I couldn’t help but notice that he stuck around for the entire 30-minute workover. Check out what he had to say on his blog: http://tacomagnome.blogspot.com/2007/10/savi-day-spay.html.

Dale

Fame has once again struck yours truly – and the hotel he works for. A diminutive Norwegian émigré with a taste for the outdoors – a garden gnome, actually – came to visit us for a two-night stay. He was kind enough to write about us and I had the thrill of escorting him around the hotel, pointing out the superior view from the Vertigo Lounge and generally drawing attention to the Murano’s many exquisite features, tailoring my tour to appeal to the perspective of an 11-inch tall (hat included) man whose point of reference is 15th century Scandinavia. Be sure to read every word of his exciting stay right here: http://www.tacomagnome.blogspot.com/.

Dale

I’m always on the lookout for new restaurants to recommend to my out-of-town friends here at the Hotel Murano. From its liberal use of curry, cumin, ginger and what the Weekly Volcano describes as “kick in the teeth hot” chappati flatbread, the new Bombay Bistro at 4328 Sixth Avenue promises to treat visitors to the culinary equivalent of a heavy metal rock concert. But in a good way. I haven’t been there yet. If you have, drop me a note and let me know what you think.

Dale

It looks like a trip down the I-5 to Portland, Oregon is in my future. How can I pass up the chance to get a sneak preview of some of the new glass art that will be installed in my own hotel? Dale tells me that you can check it out at Bullseye Gallery, 300 NW 13^th Avenue in the city’s hipper-than-thou Pearl District. The show runs through December 22^nd. While I’m down there I’m going to round out the trip with a visit to two other Provenance hotels in P-Town: Hotel Lucia and Hotel deLuxe. Seriously, these places are so cool they’re liable to start acquiring a cult following.

Josh

Renovation continues apace here at my favorite hotel in the Puget Sound. Personally, I’m amazed at the soon-to-be former Tacoma Sheraton’s transformation into a world class tourist destination. With its black-and-white-themed modernist decor, tricked out room amenities like iPod docking stations and cutting edge (no pun intended) glass art, Hotel Murano will truly be a landmark for Tacoma. Speaking of the glass art that will become part of the scene here, there’s finally a chance to see some of those amazing pieces. A show has been organized by the Tessa Papas, art curator for Hotel Murano. (How many hotels can boast having one of those?) Key items will be on display at a gallery in Portland. I’ll let you know the who, what, when, why and where as soon as I find out.

Dale

No, I’m not quoting Geddy Lee, I’m quoting the Bard. Google “Shakespeare in the Park” and you’ll discover that, from New York City to Oklahoma City, you can find enough iambic pentameter and padded breeches to earn a degree in Elizabethan literature – all for the price of an Amtrak Pass and a few grass stains on your picnic blanket. Google “Shakespeare in the Parking Lot” on the other hand and, well, okay, New York will come up again. But right after that, you’ll find the Tacoma’s version of Shakespeare. Starting with their slogan “Taking the Fear out of Shakespeare,” S.i.t.P.L. promises to make Shakespeare accessible to everyone. The best part is that they work year-round, undaunted by a muddy outfield. If you’ll be in town in November, you can catch Macbeth at King’s Bookstore. Leave your umbrella at home – they’ll be taking over the event space in the back of the store.

–Josh

I’ve got my calendar marked for these two films at the First Annual Asian Film Festival. They both take place at University of Washington’s Carwein Hall in the Keystone Bldg.:

Take Me Home
Oct. 23rd, 6p.m.
- A story about the Japanese internment camps in the U.S. during WWII. (As prep for this movie, you might want to catch Bad Day at Black Rock, one of the rare instances of issues-based film coming out of Hollywood in the early fifties. This beaut stars Spencer Tracy as a one-armed vet who returns to his hometown after the war only to find out a very dark secret about what happened to the Japanese-American family of a fellow GI who saved his life.)

Voices of Challenge: Hmong Women in Transition
Oct 30, 6 p.m.
- With their exotic mix of unique languages and subtle cultural differences the history and culture of some of my own Asian neighbors can be, for me, terra incognita. The Asian Film Festival is just the cure. And Voices of Challenge is a good place to start, as it explores the lives of Hmong-American women as they seek to pursue their education and careers in a culture that is far different from their family’s patriarchal traditions.

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Josh

Asian-Americans have long streamed to America, sometimes to seek prosperity, at other times to escape oppression from their home countries, only to find that life here brings a new set of challenges. The Asia Pacific Cultural Center is presenting an Asian Film Festival that explores some of those issues in what it hopes to be its First Annual event. Screenings are free!

Dale

What’s not to love about independent film? Aspiring film makers calling in every favor from every friend to donate their acting or camera-lugging skills, going for broke (literally) as they max out every credit card in their wallet…. Indie filmmakers might just be the last of the barnstormers. In celebration, over 70 films will be screened from October 4-11 at the Second Annual Tacoma Film Festival. Better load up on salad now, because, Spartans, tonight we dine on hot buttered popcorn! The festival will take place at three venues:

The Grand Cinema (Event putter-oner and primary venue)

School of the Arts (SOTA) Theater

Tacoma Art Museum

Dale