Blog Posts

A Brief History of Pool

In todays blog, we will take a look at the history of billiards, which comes with its own vocabulary and rules, and the popular American pool game, eight ball. Evolved from lawn games like croquet, billiards refers to a game played with a cue stick which is used to strike billiard balls moving them around a cloth covered billiard table cushioned with rubber rails. Billiards refers to all games played on such a table with our without pockets. On the other hand, pool (also called pocket billiards in some places) is billiard game played on a table with six pockets (one in each corner and two in the center of the longer rail). The earliest documented record of a billiard table was made in 1470? The table, made of stone, with a cloth covering, and a hole in the center which balls could be driven into, was on an inventory of property owned by King Louis XI of France. Louis wasnt the only royal to enjoy a game of billiards. Mary, Queen of Scots was known to enjoy the game, and it was played in many royal courts. The stick, known as a cue short for the French queue, came along later. Pool was originally played with maces being used to strike at the balls, which was difficult when they were positioned close to the edge of the table. Thus the cue stick was an improvement. Wool is still the fabric choice for covering pool tables, being in use for over 400 years (though todays wool is a high-tech blend). Billiard balls were once made of ivory, Sorel cement (an imitation ivory), and a composite called nitrocellulose; today various plastics and resins are used. Billiards claim the honor of being the first sport to have a Worlds Champion, happening in 1873. Some notable pool players include Thomas Jefferson, (who had a pool room concealed in Monticello) W.C. Fields, and Tom Hanks. The most popular American pool game is 8 ball . In this game each player tries to claim a suit (usually stripes or solids), pocketing all of the balls in that suit, then legally pocket the 8-ball, at the same time denying ones opponent opportunities to do the same with their suit and without pocketing the cue ball. So the next time you head to the clubhouse for a game of pool, reflect for a moment on the history of the game. And feel free to share a story about pool in the comments.

Hosting a Dinner Party in Your Apartment

Dinner Party. Do the words bring up warm fuzzy feelings of the last time you got together with friends, or does it bring up memories of a frustrated frenzy as you were trying to get a meal out with everything hot that was supposed to be hot, and cold things cold? We have put together some tips to the planning and execution from frenzied to fabulous. Guests Determine how many people can comfortably fit into your space when it comes to seating. If you have enough room, 8 - 10 people make a nice mix for a party. Create a pleasant mix of people at your party. Be certain that everyone there knows at least one other person who will be there. (And this makes it easier on the host, too.) Find out in advance about food allergies or other dietary restrictions so you can take them into consideration as you plan your menu. Let your guests know where to park, and any other idiosyncrasies about visiting your apartment. Menu Keep it simple (keeping in mind dietary restrictions and preferences). Serve a starter food; breads and cheese, fruit and dip, olives, crackers, cold meats. (This staves off hunger while you take care of the finishing touches of your meal, or while waiting for everyone to arrive.) Serve foods that can be prepared ahead of time (so you have more time to mingle with your guests instead of cooking). Crock pot recipes are great for this purpose. Foods that can be eaten standing up give guests a chance to mingle while eating. Think finger foods here. Instead of expensive adult beverages, consider serving a signature punch (and provide a non-alcoholic alternative for your guests who do not drink). Never serve anything you havent made before. (If you want to try a new recipe, try it out BEFORE you serve it for a party.) Setup A white linen tablecloth and fabric-made napkins along with fresh cut flowers can be a simple but elegant way to decorate, or use a checked gingham cloth to create more of a picnic feel for your table. For flowers or other centerpieces, choose an arrangement that is low enough so your guests can see each other over the top of it. (Or if you have a lovely arrangement that is taller, put it on a buffet or another shelf or table to enjoy.) Add some music; create a playlist of light jazz, easy-listening music to use as background, and in this case, louder is not better. Your guests need to be able to easily hear each other without raising their voices to converse. Lighting can make a huge difference. Use the dimmer switch if you have one, if not, consider using white Christmas lights, candles, or lanterns to create a softer, intimate glow. Encourage conversation by sharing something fun (not embarrassing) about your guests as you introduce them to each other so they have a launchpad available to begin a conversation. Have an activity planned in case conversation lags. Card games, trivia games, or getting to know you games can move things along. Using these tips will help you create an amazing dinner party. Dont forget the dessert! Please feel free to share a favorite dinner party recipe in the comments.

Stand-up Comedy in Tacoma

If youve had a hard day at work, spent the last few hours stuck in traffic, or had something go just plain wrong, then theres probably only one good medicine for your frustrations: laughter. The Tacoma Comedy Club is located just a short drive away from Nantucket Gate, with upcoming shows featuring Gabriel Rutledge, B.T., Adam Ferrara, and Ian Karmel. Shows run at eight oclock in the evening on Wednesday through Sunday nights, with a second, ten-thirty show on Fridays and Saturdays. Every other Tuesday you can attend special Comedians With Benefits shows that support local charities. Might be best to reserve your tickets ahead of time, because shows often sell out fast. All members of the military, police department, and fire department receive a two dollar discount off their ticket prices, unless theyre attending the second Friday night showthen they get in free! Theres free street parking, two nearby pay lots, and a full food and bar menu. Dont forget your ID, though; the eight oclock shows are 18+, and the ten-thirty shows are 21+. Casual attire is fine, but theyll charge you an extra two dollars if you wear a tuxedo t-shirt. And if youre one of those daring souls who is looking to perform your own stand-up act, send the Tacoma Comedy Club an e-mailevery Wednesday night show is open-mike, featuring performances from local comedians like you. Check out the clubs website here for more information.

A Comedy Tonight Comedy Classics

Its been a long week, its Friday night and you have the evening free. What better to do than pop some popcorn, open a bottle of your favorite brew, and settle in to watch a comedy. The most difficult thing about the whole venture is choosing what to watch. Never out of style, and appealing to the funny bone in all of us, comedy classics are sure to please. So throw on your jammies, relax in your apartment, and get prepared to laugh away the evening. To help you out, we have compiled a list of classic comedies to work your way through. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Get ready for a throwback to the psychedelic sixties, via ancient Rome, in this classic comedy. An all-star cast, including the talents of Zero Mostel, and Phil Silvers shows us what happens when a hapless slave must unite his twitter-pated young master with a virgin courtesan before his mistress gets home. McClintock! A western comedy, McClintock! will have you laughing out loud. Watch the sparks fly as McClintock (John Wayne) and his estranged wife, (Maureen OHara) engage in a battle of wills, only coming to a temporary, short-lived truce for their daughters homecoming. Throw in the conflict between the settlers, the Indians, and the townfolk, and you have a recipe for mischief. Definitely and 1960s piece, McClintock! is never-the-less a lot of fun, indeed. Its a Mad, Mad, Mad World What do you get when you throw a dozen of Hollywoods leading comics together? What producer/director claimed would be the comedy that would end all comedies. And, his comedy certainly has endured. Released in 1963, this comedic race to find the fortune buried under the big W will have you giggling, turn-by-comedic turn. And for some of todays best comedies, check out this list . And next time, schedule the big screen in the clubhouse and invite our friends. Drop a line in comments and tell us what your favorite classic comedy is today.

Getting the Most Out of the Playground

One of the best place for kids to enjoy is the playground; knowing something about Playground Etiquette will help create better community relations for everyone. Tip # 1 Keep an Eye On Your Children Its something that should go without saying, but we all know that one parent or caregiver, the one who reaches the playground with the kids, and immediately sits down on the bench and proceeds to be glued to her/her phone, oblivious to the kids who are monopolizing the swings. Please, be aware and keep track of what your kids are doing. Kids, especially young ones, need constant supervision. Take time to join them in their play. Tip #2 Let Everybody Have a Turn We know little Johnnie loves to swing. But if a line is forming, waiting for a chance to use the swings, too, thats a good indication that you need to finish soon. Give your child a couple of minutes warning that you are going to play on something else soon, and use the situation as an opportunity to teach the child about sharing. Tip #3 Clean Up after Yourself Its happened to everyone who uses playgrounds, coming across that sticky spot, stepping on a piece of chewed gum, or trying to find a picnic table to sit at that doesnt have bits of trash from a meal still there. Simply taking the time to throw trash in the can, and wipe up sticky spills (or report larger ones to maintenance) will make the playground more pleasant for everyone. Tip #4 Be Prepared Making & taking a playground pack, including tissues, wet-wipes, band-aids, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a plastic bag can help you avoid the little emergencies that can happen at the playground. Scraped knee? A quick wipe down, a bandaid, and a kiss, will get a kid back to the slide in no-time. And if you have sunscreen and/or insect repellent, you wont have to cut your visit short. Tip #5 Be Courteous When you are asking another parent or a child for cooperation, you DONT want to get involved in a screaming match. So, rather than telling another parent to make their annoying child stop his annoying behavior, gently suggest to the child, an appropriate behavior he can do. For example, My daughter would like to use the slide, too, and if you dont move, you may get hurt when she slides down. Rather than Get off the slide, now! The old saying, you get more friends with honey than vinegar applies to this situation. Playgrounds are awesome places to get outside, let kids get some exercise, and to socialize and get to know your neighbors.

Can I Stay with You Hosting Overnight Guests

The phone rings and its your sisters husbands cousin calling to say hes going to be in town, and asking if you can put him up for a few days. Of course you are willing to have him stay, but you dont have a dedicated guest room, so what is the best way to make use of the space in your home? Weve gathered some tips for making guests comfortable whether they are just here overnight, or are staying for the week. Make sure they feel welcome. Something as simple as having fresh flowers out sends an Im happy to see you! Welcome to my home, sort of message. Other welcoming touches are to include a basket with mints, snacks, the wifi password, a charging bar (or a power strip), a magazine, a flashlight, a business card with your contact information, and schedules for public transit (if its likely to be used). Provide the most comfortable bed you are able to. A good rule of thumb (if you dont have a second bed available) is to offer your bed, with clean linen of course, to your guests if they are older than you. And you sleep on the air mattress or fold out bed. Other bed options include a camping cot, a foam pad, or sleeping on a futon, a sleeper sofa, or a daybed if you have room. Lay out extra blankets and a fan if its hot. Clear out some space for your guest, a shelf, a drawer, a cubby, or even a suitcase rack like they have in hotel rooms, also provide a few hangers and a place to hang clothes up. (An over the door hook makes a good place to hang a few items of clothing.) Mention house rules in passing, or include them in your welcome basket. Note such things as quiet time, breakfast time, no smoking in the house, bathroom schedule (indicate the time span the bathroom will be free and make sure the door can be locked) etc. having these things clarified up front prevents miscommunication and awkward conversations. Provide a variety of easy to fix breakfast and lunch foods. Bagels, muffins, and danishes are easy to grab and go. Instant oatmeal, cold cereal, toast, and yogurt all make easy choices. Create a make-it-yourself sandwich option for lunch. Relax and enjoy your houseguest. Being cozy for a few days is typically worth the slight inconvenience it may cause. Take a few minutes and share your favorite tips for having overnight guests in the comments.