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

In 2006, a group of Tacoma-ites pulled together to start a co-op grocery store providing organic, local, and natural foods. They did what Millennial entrepreneurs do: they started a blog and a website and designed a really nice logo. Finally, after months of preparation, they threw their first fund-raising shindig a couple of weeks ago, signing up 150 member-owners – a great start toward their goal of 2600. Here’s hoping they build on that momentum!

– Dale

Sure, there was a dog-wading pool, plenty of pups and pooches and lots of, er, sniffing around. But Woofstock ‘08, which occurred Sunday the 3^rd at Todd Field was not a For Dogs Only event. Cats, kittens, bunnies and ferrets also joined in the fun, getting their cute on at the Adoption Village as they attempted to land a spot in a good home. Humans were there too, as evidenced by live music from the WiseCracker Band, the VZ Valley Boys, and Starstruck. Now, this was an event to yelp about. Next year, I’m so there.

–Dale

As the economy tightens, it may be tempting to think about cutting costs. But slashing expenses willy-nilly can cripple your business. There are often less painful ways to stay afloat. The operative word is balance. This superb article from the Microsoft Small Business Center offers eight sensible budgeting tips. Here’s the first:“

Accept the learning curve. Living with a budget is an education. Trimming your expenses, knowing how long a paycheck is going to last or how much of a cash reserve to keep around… working these skillfully will take some time. But you can learn to adjust a budget as you go, and what was once a shot in the dark gradually will become a more predictable and useful practice.”

Being reasonable yet disciplined can even open up paths to success that you may not have discerned before. Go to the full article to read seven more tips on balanced budgeting.

–Dale

If you’re the type of person who tends to beat the contestants to the buzzer on “Wheel of Fortune” or who, while watching “Jeopardy!”, says, “Pshhh, I could do that,” well here’s your chance. Three pubs around town offer Trivia Night on Wednesdays, with a chance to win cash and prizes. No word, though, on whether they offer a home version of their games.

Ale House Pub @ University Place. Trivia Night with a “Wheel of Goodness” + cash prizes 7 pm.

Doyle’s Public House Tacoma. Knowledge Night Team Trivia 7 pm.

Engine House No. 9 Tacoma. Win “Doggie Dollars,” starting at 7 pm.

–James

I’ve never been an avid fly fisherman, but that could change. The Tacoma News-Tribune’s Fly Fishing Blog is enough to get even the least outdoorsy types infected with the fishing bug. All I can say is, after scrolling through the pics of Don and Jan out on the sound, their cares miles away, I was, as they say, “hooked.”

–James