There’s a subgenre of romantic comedies that transcends the moniker “chick flick.” I’m talking about such films as “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset” and, perhaps, just about anything by Eric Rohmer. These movies demonstrate that guys like romance too – and they make it okay for all but the most insecure of us to admit as much. Woody Allen’s new movie “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” is one such film. We can tell our beer-drinking buddies that we’re just there to see Scarlett Johansson do that pouty lip thing, but you and I know the truth. This film about an ephemeral summer romance is the perfect way to end your summer in Tacoma. Which got me thinking. With all of its cultural attractions and local artists, it’s not hard to imagine that Tacoma is the Barcelona of the Puget Sound. What say you?

–James

Chambers Bay Golf Course will be hosting the 2015 U.S. Open, but you can be sure that people will be lining up to visit long before that happens. And for good reason. The Scottish-style links and beautiful scenery are a real gem. And, after a round on this walk-only course, you’ll likely want to stop in to the Chambers Bay Grill for a bite. You can go for the Chipotle Turkey or Bourbon Chicken if you’d like. But for my money, there are few ordinary burgers that will beat this one. Hot off the broiler and cooked to order, why is such simple pleasure otherwise so hard to come by? Best part is, lunch or dinner just won’t set you back a whole lot of money. Now THAT’s a Scotch value!

–Dale

Maybe you’ve heard of “Yelp!” – the hot “social media” website that puts ordinary folks in the critics’ chair. I dropped by the other day to see what people are saying about businesses in our fair city. The top three reviewed locations are as follows: The Grand Cinema, Point defiance Park,  and Metropolitan Market. Overwhelmingly positive reviews all – and if you’re wondering what you should do for an afternoon or weekend off, drop by Yelp! For some ideas.

Take a look at Hotel Murano’s Yelp page

–James

Animal Avenue, the latest addition to the Point Defiance Zoo, has finally opened, with homes occupied by about 19 new neighbors! Here they are:

• Meerkat

• Ring-tailed Lemur

• Black Lemur

• Damaraland Mole Rat

• Golden Orb Weaver spider

• Goliath Bird-eating Spider

• Antilles Pink-toed Tree Spider

• Emerald Tree Boa

• Green Tree Python

• Western Bell’s Hinge-back Tortoise

• Pancake Tortoise

• Ornate Horned Frog

• White’s Tree Frog

• Hour Glass Tree Frog

• Surinam Toad

• Long-legged Desert Ant

• African Emperor Scorpion

• Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

• African Cichlid

Be sure to throw the kids in the welcome wagon and head there for a visit!

–Dale

Let’s say your bumper crop of tomatoes is now in season. By the bucketfull. What to do? I suggest that you contact the Fish Food Bank to make a donation and then head down to Pacific Grill for it’s take on that amazing delicacy known as the heirloom tomato. And to think that, once upon a time, these were simply known as “garden variety.”

–James