Among my friends, we joke that just about every story we tell starts with, “I heard something interesting the other day on NPR…” I sometimes sit in my car to listen to the end of a show, and This American Life is one of my favorites. At the end of January, Tacoma is lucky to have the show’s host, Ira Glass, at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts Pantages Theater. For one night only, Glass will present a behind-the-scenes look into the making of This American Life, and explain what makes it tick. He’ll play clips from the program, and give away a few secrets about sound and editing. For me, part of the thrill is just watching such a familiar voice come to life.

The show is part of the Pantages’ Laugh Out Loud series, which will feature the Smothers Brothers and Defending the Caveman in following months.

Enjoy,

Danielle

It’s a special delight to run across an interesting and unusual spot in your own town. I just learned that right in Old Town Park, just a block from where it originally stood, is a replica of Job Carr’s cabin. Um, who? And, what?

Well, turns out that old Job was Tacoma’s first Euro-American settler, plopping himself down, in 1865, in what is now Old Town Tacoma. A permanently disabled veteran of the Civil War, Carr made his way from Indiana to Commencement Bay, purportedly exclaiming “Eureka! Eureka!” when he spied the future Tacoma.

He built himself a cabin, got himself a cat—Tom, of course—and got down to the business of making his claim. His cabin is now a museum with all his pioneer stuff, some great old musical instruments, and some audio musical samples of the music of Carr’s day.

If you ever wondered what Old Town looked like when it wasn’t so old, a visit to Job Carr’s home will give you a glimpse. You can also check out the Job Carr Museum as well.

Cheers,
Dale

I bring you yet another of Tacoma’s very cool no-cost summer outings. On Saturdays, through August 29, Metro Parks will transform a park into a concert venue, a movie theater, or both.

For example, on this past Saturday (August at Portland Avenue Park, you could see both music and film. The band, Miho and Diego, started things off at 7 p.m. A blend of Latino, Japanese, African and American traditions, it was just the thing to get everyone up and dancing.

The music was then followed by a very family-friendly flick, Surf’s Up (saw it, loved it). If you wanted to get there early with the kids, there was even a back-to-school carnival from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

Each of the events is all lawn seating, so you’ll need to bring your own blanket or lawn chairs. As usual, they had me at “admission is free.” Hope to see you there over the next couple of weeks.

Have fun,
Dale

Yes, the hotel has amazing glass art. Yes, the hotel has a fantastic restaurant. Yes, it has awesome, comfortable rooms. That’s all fine and dandy, but did you know that the Hotel Murano Tacoma also has a spa?

So, this is how I see it: You’re here on business and have spent your trip standing in front of a bunch of execs, in heels, and all you want is someone to attend to your needs for once. You definitely need the Spa La La package. It includes a night in the hotel with massages and facials for two at the Savi Day Spa (I might just do both twice!).

Oh, and since we do have all of the other great stuff going on at the Murano, you’ll also get a yummy lunch brought in to you to the spa from our very own Bite restaurant. And then go ahead and wander around in your pampered stupor to see the art. It really is fine and dandy.

Have fun!

Danielle

Times are pretty tough right now and we know you’re looking for the best possible deals out there, so here’s one for you:  15% off our best available rate!  I’ll let you do the math on that one, but I’m sure you’ll feel good about the savings.  In fact, I might just have to move in myself at these prices, but I guess I can save the available rooms for guests, instead.  So, let your friends and family know and have them come visit you or use the special on yourself to spend a weekend relaxing.
Hopefully I’ll be seeing you soon.
Danielle

Here are a few lines that we just picked up the other day from “Bee Movie” that give our fair city a very tiny nod. I don’t know about you, but it’s kind of cool that we got on someone’s radar down at Dreamworks. A group of bugs have hitched a ride on the windshield of a moving truck and are commiserating on their travels. The conversation goes like this:

Mooseblood, mosquito (Chris Rock):Where are you headed?
Barry B. Benson, bee (Jerry Seinfeld): To Honey Farms.
Mooseblood: I’m going to Alaska. Moose blood. Crazy stuff! Blows your head off.
Ladybug (Sean Bishop): I’m going to Tacoma.

I guess you could say we got a little buzz from that movie!

–Dale

(photo courtesy of Visor Peru)

Newshound Dan Voelpel, over at the Tribune, recently wrote an article about the U.S. Travel Association’s search for the “Faces of Travel.”  He asked, “Whose face would best represent our region in the contest? Among his recommendations was “Tacoma’s pre-eminent bellhop, doorman, concierge, valet and ever-gushing greeter” our own Bell Captain (and fellow Looking Glass blogger) Dale Rush.  He added , “You could argue that Rush and his bullish-on-Tacoma disposition have influenced more travelers than any other individual during that span.”  Go Dale!

–Danielle

What could be more romantic: a zillion dollar view of the city, beautifully decorated art-filled rooms and a full staff waiting to cater to your every whim. Valentine’s Day is one of the best times to visit our (not-so-little) hotel. The key word is: celebrate!  Celebrate life, love and the little luxuries that make it special. Call us to put together a custom package to make your night one to remember!

–Dale

Here at the Hotel Murano, we love pets. (Check out our amazing pet food menus and other pooch-friendly details.) So, for all of you looking to feed your puppy addictions, take a look at DogFaceGirl’s work on Etsy.com.

This artisan hails from Tacoma, so not only will you get something that relates to your dog fancy, but you’ll be supporting a local business too. I’ll bark to that!

–Danielle

The Weekly Volcano’s Ken Swarner has been writing about food in Tacoma all year long, and then he hit the wall. He was reviewed out for a week, so he made a list of his top spots that he’d visited in the last year. Lucky for us, he made answering the question, “where should we eat tonight, honey?” a heck of a lot easier. You can get the full meal deal on his list here. But here are the highlights:

$    Tacoma Szechuan (9601 S. Tacoma Way, Lakewood)
$    Opa Greek Cuisine (6104 Sixth Ave., Tacoma)
$    QB (213 Fourth Ave. E.)
$    Hot Teriyaki near Oakbrook (8013 Steilacoom Blvd., Lakewood)
$    Maxwell’s Speakeasy + Lounge (454 St. Helens, Tacoma)
$    Red Hot (2914 Sixth Ave., Tacoma)
$    Meconi’s (5225A Lacey Blvd., Lacey)
$    L&L Hawaiian (10417 Gravelly Lake Dr., Lakewood)

–James