04:20 - Justin reflects on the passing of Louie Galarza, the former bassist for ANTIHERO and founder of the beloved all-ages concert venue and pizza shop, Louie G's. They discuss his profound impact on the local music scene and his positive influence on countless lives in the South Sound area.

09:00 - Jeff recounts his and Scott's thrilling adventure at the Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show. He shares the excitement of the games they played and their hilarious attempt to grab lunch at Zeek's Pizza.

27:45 - Justin describes his recent escapade through Tacoma using public transit for the first time in ages, offering insights and anecdotes from his journey.

41:22 - Justin, Jeff, and Derek make a special announcement about the Grit City Podcast, revealing personnel changes, updated summer plans, and more developments on the horizon!

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Louie G wins over Fife City Hall — Pizza man wins over Fife City Hall, and crowd chants, “Louie! Louie! Louie!”
• NW Pinball & Arcade Show
• Zeek's Pizza
• Pierce Transit

02:30 - The gang enthusiastically welcomes back Rusty and Ken to catch up on the latest happenings in their lives. Justin can’t help but gush over the incredible renovation work RCF Exteriors has done on his home and the Brass Kraken Studios. The conversation then shifts to the joys and challenges of handyman work, highlighting Justin's playful aversion to DIY projects.

22:00 - Ken reveals that he recently watched Thelma & Louise for the first time. The gang dives into a lively discussion about the movie before branching out to chat about various other films and TV shows, including the live airings of the FOX sitcom ROC.

33:00 - The conversation shifts to video games, debating whether looking up tips online counts as 'cheating.' They then take a nostalgic dive into retro games and the experience of playing them with emulators.

53:00 - The gang explores the concept of 'smash rooms' and the cathartic process of getting rid of trash, leading Justin to share his unique 'Donate-Trash-Smash' method. They circle back to more gaming discussions before wrapping up with a talk about upcoming projects and where listeners can find them!

Thanks again to Ken and Rusty for the lively chat and a fantastic time at the Union Club!

FOR MORE GCP

Website: https://www.gritcitypodcast.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gritcitypodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritcitypodcast/

Special Guests: Ken Carlson and Rusty.

Sponsored By:

• RCF Exteriors: Cut Wood. Not Corners. RCF Exteriors specializes in Window and Door installation across the South Puget Sound region. RCF Exteriors is a customer service orientated company with 20+ years experience in window and door installation. Our efficient and knowledgeable team is dedication to making sure you are satisfied with not only the final product but throughout the entire installation process. Email: rcfexteriors@gmail.com Phone: 253-446-8854
• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• RCF Exteriors — RCF Exteriors specializes in Window and Door installation across the South Puget Sound region.
• Ken Carlson — I’m Ken. I make movies, write novels, draw comic books, play guitar, build things with my hands, play D&D, drink booze and contemplate the futility of existence. From the ether of my imagination to the digital or physical world, come take a peek inside my head!
• The Union Club Coworking & Events Space — The Union Club is a mixed-use project contributing to Tacoma’s growing artistic and entrepreneurial community. It combines studio space, coworking space, office space, beautiful common areas, galleries and an event hall in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma.

00:00 - GCP welcomes Shea & Jody by popping a few cold ones, talking about their Juneau beers! Shea & Jody are hosts of the Rainy Day Rabbit Holes podcast, discussing Pacific Northwest history. They share how their bond formed during a 9-day Alaskan cruise and camping trip, leading to their podcasting journey. The gang marvels at Shea and Jody's extensive research, particularly using Newspapers.com, and discusses favorite Tacoma episodes, including the Top of the Ocean, Ray Gamble, and the Maury Island Incident.

20:00 - 20:00 - GCP talks about one of their most popular episodes featuring Mark Sargeant, a well-known Flat Earth advocate, and how the 'Coaster Questions' segment originated. Shea and Jody share their own experiences with Mark and discuss the backlash from that episode. They tease the upcoming discussion about the Union Club.

40:32 - Returning from the break, the gang delves into the history of the Union Club, where they are recording. Shea and Jody highlight the club's beginnings in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including President Taft's visit to Tacoma. This segment showcases the depth of their research and their signature irreverent humor.

Special Guest: Rainy Day Rabbit Holes.

Sponsored By:

• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.
• Uneasy Events: Make Memories, Forge Friendships That's our mission. We've designed our games to be optimal for conversations amongst teammates. Our hosts have seen recent transplants make their first friends, watched good-natured team rivalries form, and helped form countless memories. Small. Diverse. Local. Good. Those are our values, and we consider them all when making any business decision. Small We only work with owners who operate three or fewer establishments. No real estate developers, no chains, just hands-on restaurateurs. Diverse We continue to work to make sure our content writers, fact-checkers, and fun-checkers represent our players. Local Rounds on PNW history, prizes from other small businesses, and customized games for each one of our venues. Good We generate money for good people. We visit every site that applies or is recommended, and make sure the hourly staff are treated well.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Check out the Rainy Day Rabbit Holes Podcast — Journey through PNW's best stories with your hosts Shea & Jody. Indigenous tales, pioneers, and coastal explorations await – your immersive guide to the Northwest-with a side of hilarity! Get ready to lose yourself in the mist, discover the unknown, and embrace the magic that only the Pacific Northwest can offer.
• Newspapers.com — The largest online newspaper archive, established in 2012. Used by millions for genealogy and family history, historical research, crime investigations, journalism, and entertainment.

2:16 – The show kicks off with discussion on the GCP guys recording at the Union Club, info on how fans that are wanting to download older episodes can do so, and Carol explains what Spice is and the 15+ different styles of dance that will be showcased at the event. Carol explains that the benefit show is to raise funds for the nonprofit T.U.P.A.C, how T.U.P.A.C is modeled off the Dance Theater of Harlem, and Denetta talks about the two different types of dance she’ll be performing at the event.

9:43 – Carol explains the performance piece she’ll be doing, when she got started, and how hip-hop is pulling some of it’s current styles from classic styles of the past. Carol explains how SPICE celebrates the roots of each of the dances, it’s past corruption from western culture, and Scott talks about how one of his favorite parts of Tacoma is the diversity in the area.

20:08 – Justin touches on how the event is an all ages event, Carol talks on the history of twerking, the different styles of dance it came from, and the new ‘flossing’ dance style. They talk on how new dances spread quickly with globalization, if it’s good to have information spread so quickly with technology today, how important it is for people to get involved with the community, and the need for kids to get involved in things like dance.

33:37 – Carol talks about the type of dance classes T.U.P.A.C offer to adults, dabke dance style, rhythmic tap that is offered at Northwest Tap connection in Seattle, how cross cultures in the past created different types of dance throughout history, and how they came up with the idea of the show. Justin shares info on where people can find more info and buy tickets online.

Thanks Denetta and Carol for joining the guys to talk about SPICE! and for the amazing work you do to raise money for T.U.P.A.C!

Special Guests: Carol the Belly Dancer and Denetta.

Sponsored By:

• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Seattle-Tacoma based Bellydancer Carol
• Tickets! - SPICE! Dances of the African and Arab Diaspora — Brown Paper Tickets for SPICE!
• T.U.P.A.C. "Where Classical Ballet Legends Are Trained!" - Tacoma, Washington | Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center
• Carol Bui, LMP at RAPTURE Massage Tacoma — Our sole mission is to improve your quality of life with one healing touch at a time. Whether you're experiencing pain, injury, surgery, emotional or physical trauma, anxiety, depression...or you just want to feel amazing, we're here to help.

The show kicks off with Benjamin talking about putting his music out online through various platforms, how his recordings are done by himself, and the guys chat about how people can learn anything on YouTube. The guys talk about pre internet and YouTube, Benjamin talks about how he got started, and what motivated him to do his first recording. Benjamin chats about his influences, including those outside of hip hop that encompass gospel and jazz.

10:30 – Benjamin talks about coming to the PNW from North Carolina, the culture shock after moving here, and that he misses southern food the most. Justin talks about his wife adjusting to Tacoma after living in Seattle, Benjamin brings up the southern hospitality in North Carolina, and the big metropolitan areas there.

17:30 – Justin asks Benjamin about being a Star Wars fan, Benjamin tells the guys about the places he’s seen since he’s been here, and chat then goes to his album, First In Flight. Benjamin talks about the eye opening point when he was writing lyrics and becoming conscious about writing music that even his mom could enjoy. He also discusses wanting to keep the album short and the different social issues that he covers in his songs, including the lives of those that are disenfranchised.

The show comes to an end with Benjamin talking about trying to limit the amount of cursing that he writes in his lyrics and the show finishes out with his his song Your Letters, based on the life him and a childhood friend thought they were going to live, dreams they had as children, and where they have actually ended up.

Thanks Benjamin for joining the guys to talk about your music and giving the listeners a look in the life of a local PNW artist!!!

Special Guest: Benjamin J.

Sponsored By:

• Wizard's Keep Games: Building Community Through The Power Of Games. Stop by and check out the weekly events. Commander, D&D, Friday Night Magic, It all happens at Wizard's Keep Games in Renton. 17148 116th Ave SE Renton WA, 98058
• The Union Club: The Union Club is a coworking space contributing to Tacoma's growing artistic and entrepreneurial communities. It combines a maker studio, event hall, and office coworking space, in a 15,000 square foot historic building in downtown Tacoma, Washington.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• First In Flight by Benjamin J 919 | Free Listening on SoundCloud

(Guest writer Steve Dunkelberger)

The strange story of Jake Bird is as good as it gets if you are looking for a creepy story about the Gritty City. It is often referred to in serial killer circles as the most famous serial killer story you have never heard.

Sit back, sip a beverage or blaze one up. Sit back and prepare for a great tale. This is that story, one of murder in many states, and a curse … that came true.

I’ll start in the very beginning. Jake Bird was born in Louisiana in 1901 and had a relatively troubled life from the start. He left home at the age of 19 to seek his fortune by riding the rails of America.
He was a hobo, day laborer … traveling the nation and trading a day’s work for a night’s sleep and a warm meal wherever he stopped. He would reportedly kill with savage swings of an ax or knife before hopping on the rail on his way to another town. But I’ll get to that later.

He was otherwise unremarkable wherever he went, just one face in the growing crowd of “Gandy Dancers,” as rail-hopping day workers were called in those days. But that would change when he reached “the end of the line” in Tacoma. The City of Destiny, after all was the terminus of the transcontinental railroad, a fact that coined the term.

It was October 30th, 1947. Bird was 45. He was looking for work and can across the home of Bertha Kludt and her daughter Beverly June. The house still stands at 1007 South 21st Street. He hacked them to death with an axe. They screamed during the attack, screams so loud that neighbors called police. Two officers arrived to the scene only to find Bird covered in blood, still holding a knife as he ran from the scene. They cornered him. So he attacked, one officer was slashed in the hand while the other was stabbed in the shoulder. But they managed to still tackle him and handcuff him with all the gentility expected when an African American man kills two white women before then attacking two police officers in the 1940s. He was taken to the hospital for his injuries and then taken in shackles to the Old City Hall jail cells. It was called Siberia because it was so isolated from the rest of the world. It had no window or light, other than a bare blub hanging from the vaulted ceiling. It was hot all the time since it was located on the opposite side of the massive furnace that heated the entire building.

He first almost convinced the officers that he was innocent, but the fact that he still had brain matter spattered on his shirt finally convinced the officers that they had their man. He then confessed to the killings, stating it was a burglary gone bad. His trial came a month later. It lasted three days. He was convicted of Murder in the First Degree and giving the sentence of death by hanging.

This is where the case gets weird.

As he was being sentenced, Bird declared, "I’m putting the hex of Jake Bird on all of you who had anything to do with my being punished. Mark my words. You will die before I do.”

Taken as just another idle threat by a murderer. The “hex didn’t get much notice. That is. Until people started dying.

First the judge died of a heart attack. Then Bird’s defense lawyer died of a heart attack. Then the police officer who recorded his confession died of a heart attack. Then another police officer who wrote an official report on Bird passed of a heart attack. Then one of Bird’s prison guards died of a heart attack. And finally the court’s clerk died, but not of a heart attack. He died of pneumonia.

While still alive on Walla Walla’s death row, Bird continued to confess to crimes during his years on the rails. He tallied 44 murders to his butcher’s bill. He provided enough details about 11 of those, that the cases were officially closed.

His first kills were reportedly those of two women in Evanston, Illinois in 1942. Other victims were confirmed in Louisville, Kentucky, Omaha, Nebraska, Kansas City, Kansas, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Cleveland, Ohio, Orlando, Florida, and Portage, Wisconsin. Police in Houston, Texas, suspected he murdered a woman there as well.

His story would end on July 15th, 1949, almost two years after his last crime, at the age of 48. He was hanged on the gallows. He is buried in an unmarked grave at the Prison Cemetery at Walla Walla Correctional Center. His grave is marked with his prison number, 21520.

The only two that Jake's hex didn't affect were officer Pat Steele and Dr. Larson medical examiner.

In his practice throughout the years, Larson has helped convict about 100 people of murder. A number of these men had threatened to kill him in reprisal, so Bird was no different. He actually hadn’t heard about the hex until Steele told him about it as it came true. But it still didn’t faze him.

"The desire for revenge is a very immature reaction," he said at the time, "and whereas your average murderer is seldom a very mature, well-rounded character, he is nevertheless subject to the cooling process-the changes that come with the passage of time. Come to think of it, that's what our penal system is all about, isn't it-to put people on the shelf until they cool off? I like the thought, anyway."

After a great reading, they discuss the research behind the story and upcoming stories for future shows. They also discuss other things going on in the community, including The Eye of the Totem and the project to restore the movie. They discuss a previous Kickstarter out so local residents can help in remaking the movie.

Don'f forget to pick up Steve's Books at Amazon!

Special Guests: Donaven B. and Steve Dunkelberger.

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Original Episode 44

Justin kicks off this episode chatting about his irate neighbor that he had to call the cops on. Conversation then goes to how Isaac got started in filmmaking and his latest documentaries, Semi Iconic and Strictly Sacred, The Story of Girl Trouble. He talks about recording films outside of Tacoma, growing up in the South Tacoma area and the magical feeling of it’s quiet downtown on Sundays.

15:28 – Isaac tells the guys what it was like working with Dick Rossetti to make the movie Semi Iconic, the variety of bands Dick’s been in throughout the years, and Isaac’s thoughts on the correlation between Dick and Frank Zappa. He explains diving into Dick’s tape collection from when he was a DJ on The End and Dick’s love/hate relationship with being a DJ.

30:03 – In discussion of Dick’s early DJ days around age 10, Justin comments on the importance of people staying true to themselves, especially in the PNW area which has such a strong combative individuality with it’s people. Isaac talks about the recent showings of the movie in Seattle, Portland, and at The Grand in Tacoma and then dives into discussion of Strictly Sacred, The Story of Girl Trouble. He talks about taking a snapshot into the life of the band, what it was like growing up around them and the bands dedication to their family.

45:00 – Isaac tells the guys where people can find them online, Jeff explains how he discovered Girl Trouble which led to the guys having Issac on the show and the plans to have the band on the podcast. Issac also tells the guys about his upcoming plans and working with the Peterson brothers from Tacoma. The guys express their love for watching bands at The Valley and the weird world of the PNW

Big thank you to Isaac for joining the guys for a look into what it’s like making documentaries in the area. We look forward to catching up with you again soon!

Special Guest: Isaac Olsen.

Sponsored By:

• Wizard's Keep Games: Building Community Through The Power Of Games. Stop by and check out the weekly events. Commander, D&D, Friday Night Magic, It all happens at Wizard's Keep Games in Renton. 17148 116th Ave SE Renton WA, 98058
• The Lindsay Jackman Group: We understand that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a life-changing experience. That’s why our team of highly-seasoned real estate professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for all of our clients. We take great pride in the relationships we build and always work relentlessly on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals. Lindsay Jackman, Broker 253.857.3366 RE/MAX EXCLUSIVE 7201 Pioneer Way Ste A 101, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Girl Trouble on Bandcamp — Garage rock from Tacoma/Spokane, WA. Formed in 1983, Kurt, Bon, Kahuna and Dale crashed into the music scene with their plywood speaker cabinets and a drum set purchased for $70 from the Sears surplus store in a shed beside Bon and Kahuna's parent's house, where they still practice today.
• Girl Trouble official web page
• Isaac Olsen - IMDb — Isaac Olsen - Director, Writer, Editor on IMDb

The show kicks off with Brogan chatting about his wakeup call that day and Kozar tells the guys about his con experience and being floored his very first night at the con. They also discuss Nuclear Cherries, the cut in number of parties and the change from KY Wrestling to KY Twister this year.

15:55 – The guys discuss panels they’ve been to in the past and registering each year to support the convention, even if they don’t go to the panels. Scott promotes volunteering and reminds people that they can always volunteer if they’re not satisfied with the convention and that’s it’s solely ran by volunteers.

25:08 – At the halfway point Rusty joins the team and Kozar provides a safety tip for con attendees - you should never ask anybody at con to smell their fingers. Rusty discusses his Thursday night with Kozar philosophizing and drinking. He also talks about his favorite Norwescon memories and they warn listeners about hot tubbing it at the convention.
41:48 – Brogan talks about one of his favorite moments where he was welcomed into the con community, getting sold in the slave auction, and they also chat about dressing in character for the con. Talk then goes back to early parties and the experience for people that aren’t con goers that have rooms in the party wing.

This episode comes to a close with Kozar talking about being involved in LARPing and him and his friends putting together their own LARP with plans of having the first live event in September. He talks about documenting the LARP, creating the rules and regulations, the opportunities for people to make their own house and the amount of people in the area that are interested in LARPing.

Thanks guys for an awesome conversation and a look into the world of Norwescon goers!!!

Special Guests: Kozar and Rusty.

Sponsored By:

• Wizard's Keep Games: Building Community Through The Power Of Games. Stop by and check out the weekly events. Commander, D&D, Friday Night Magic, It all happens at Wizard's Keep Games in Renton. 17148 116th Ave SE Renton WA, 98058
• The Lindsay Jackman Group: We understand that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a life-changing experience. That’s why our team of highly-seasoned real estate professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for all of our clients. We take great pride in the relationships we build and always work relentlessly on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals. Lindsay Jackman, Broker 253.857.3366 RE/MAX EXCLUSIVE 7201 Pioneer Way Ste A 101, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Volunteers | Norwescon — Norwescon is run entirely by volunteers. Each year, over 250 people generously give of their time in order to make Norwescon the best it can be for its members and participants. Volunteers are the backbone of the convention, from those of us who donate our time year round to those of you who lend a much needed helping hand for a couple of hours at the convention. Whether that is watching the doors at the Masquerade, helping out at the Registration Desk, or manning the Cloak Closet, we need that help.

The show kicks off with discussion of Billy’s gift that he brought with him for the guys. Ava then dives into what burlesque is, what it stands for, and her favorite performances. She also discusses how she started with Gritty City Sirens 7 years ago and how it has progressively changed since it began.

15:49 – Justin covers how people can find information Gritty City online. Ava talks about working with community projects and how their main focus is to be involved with the community and how they got involved with Marry Mart and the benefits of cannabis. Ava then dives into her favorite and least favorite parts of burlesque.

At the halfway point, Billy tells the guys about what they have coming up, including their 4/20 sales. Conversation then turns to Ava and how she got started in burlesque and her first performance. She explains the amount of practice that happens prior to performing and how people that are interested in joining can get started.

42:45 – This episode closes out with discussion of what’s coming up for the Gritty City Sirens, including their Tim Burton Halloween Ball, going on October 27th. Ava explains that this is a more integrative social event in the theme of Tim Burton movies. Billy shares his favorite Tim Burton movie and the show then dives into where each of the guests were born. They end with giving listeners information on where they can find Mary Mart and Gritty City Sirens online.

Thanks Billy, Misha, and Ava for joining the guys for an intriguing conversation. We look forward to having you back on soon!

Special Guests: Ava D'Jor, Billy, and Misha.

Sponsored By:

• Wizard's Keep Games: Building Community Through The Power Of Games. Stop by and check out the weekly events. Commander, D&D, Friday Night Magic, It all happens at Wizard's Keep Games in Renton. 17148 116th Ave SE Renton WA, 98058
• The Lindsay Jackman Group: We understand that buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction: it’s a life-changing experience. That’s why our team of highly-seasoned real estate professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for all of our clients. We take great pride in the relationships we build and always work relentlessly on the client’s behalf to help them achieve their real estate goals. Lindsay Jackman, Broker 253.857.3366 RE/MAX EXCLUSIVE 7201 Pioneer Way Ste A 101, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

Support The Grit City Podcast

Links:

• Mary Mart: Recreational Marijuana Dispensary near Tacoma, WA — Mary Mart is bringing the best cannabis to the game. Find the very best cannabis here.
• Gritty City Sirens — The Sirens are a sisterhood based on trust, mutual respect, and empowerment. We represent and celebrate different body types, and ethnicities, backgrounds, talents and strengths.
• Gritty City Sirens - Facebook — Gritty City Sirens on Facebook

Just had a great experience here. I'm a new mom, dealing with some postpartum issues as well as chronic joint pain. I wanted something to help me that won't leave me unable to care for my son. Devon was of wonderful help! He answered my questions, offered suggestions and was kind and knowledgeable. I left feeling like I have some good medicine and was not judged. I really like the overall atmosphere of Mary Mart too. – Magnolia Jane

The show kicks off with conversation of what Mary Mart is, where it’s located, and Billy and Misha’s want to deflate the stigma around the use of cannabis. They also discuss the strict state laws on how recreational stores can market to customers.

15:45 – Misha discusses the first time being introduced to cannabis. Billy also shares his first time trying it when he was 16 and that Weed, California was named after his great, great, great uncle that helped build the railroads throughout the city. He dives into using marijuana medically and the different types of it on the market including marijuana bath salts, which like cannabis topicals, are non-psychoactive cannabis-infused that help relieve things like cellulitis.

At the halfway point they discuss isolation tanks and the usage of psychedelics while floating. Talk then turns to Brogans love of baths and the presents his customers bring into his shop. Justin tells the guys of his first experience with marijuana and they talk about the different types of food that can be deep friend, including cold pizza and Stouffer’s lasagna.

32:31 – Billy talks about his love of stoner culture and the fun parts of it that he embraces, including the creative ways of taking cooking to the next level and the other benefits of using marijuana. They discuss Mike Tyson’s plans to use ½ of his property in CA to grow cannabis and the other ½ as a new resort. Misha also discusses working with Foot Traffik, the largest marketing agency in the cannabis industry, to help them create a plan for the marketing direction they want to go into.

As the show comes to an end, Billy chats about Mary Mart’s location, their hours, and the ability for customers to order online. Brogan discusses his great experience at the shop and they cover upcoming Mary Mart events including Open Mic night. Misha finishes up talking about their focuses for 2018, including having discussions with people like doctors talking about the benefits of using marijuana.

Thank you Billy and Misha for joining the guys for a great a conversation!!! We’re looking forward to talking with you again soon!!!

Special Guests: Billy and Misha.

Support The Grit City Podcast