Guilty Pleasures explores the ‘holiday-weekend-class-reunion’ phenomenon

For 20- and 30-somethings, there’s a strange phenomenon surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas. Guilty Pleasures calls it the “holiday-weekend-class-reunion” phenomenon.

You know, when those who’ve moved away from any given town and those who never left all show up at the same bar after eating turkey or opening presents. It’s an inevitable occurrence that Guilty Pleasures always anticipates with a sense of excitement and dread.

Like at a real class reunion, there are the people you really hope to run into and those who still want to shove you in a locker. (Why do they always like to hang out at the same place?) And like the movies that use this plot, the night usually ends with some kind of rekindled romance — or a fist fight.

A couple years ago when Guilty Pleasures was dating a Yakima local, the “holiday-weekend-class-reunion” of his choice was at Jack-sons and McGuire’s, which are sure to be packed tonight as the phenomenon, which doesn’t actually have to be on the weekend, begins to manifest.

In the ol’ hometown of Vancouver, Wash., the Elbow Room is the bar where Guilty Pleasures’ high school friends still congregate — and where 12-year-old grudges and crushes die hard. It’s also small, which means there’s nowhere to hide from your past.

Still, you’ll probably find Guilty Pleasures there Friday night, knocking back a PBR tall boy and catching up on all the juicy and mundane gossip.

Because, really, it’s better than another occurrence that tends to happen when visiting for the holidays: the “totally-bored-watching-TV-in-your-childhood-bedroom” phenomenon.

• Guilty Pleasures is a weekly look at whatever Guilty Pleasures wants to look at.

Thanksgiving in Wine Country: Three days of toasting to the good life

For vino fans, this weekend isn’t about shopping, it’s about three days of toasting to the good life during Thanksgiving in Wine Country.

The swirl-and-sip celebration — which includes wine tasting, food pairings and discounts — runs this Friday through Sunday at nearly 50 wineries throughout the Yakima Valley.

At most wineries all you’ll need to bring is your own glass — and a little patience, because those tasting rooms fill up fast.

But if you’re looking for something a little extra, you can purchase a Thanksgiving in Wine Country Premiere Pass, which entitles you to a few perks and a commemorative wine glass.

Passes costs $20 in advance and $25 at participating wineries. For a listing of those wineries and a rundown of that weekend’s special events, visit www.wineyakimavalley.org (where you can also purchase your reserve ticket).

You can also receive discounts and free reserve wine tastings at the 15 wineries on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail with a $5 “Passport.”

For more information on the passport and what’s going on at the Rattlesnake Hills wineries on Thanksgiving weekend, visit www.rattlesnakehills.com.

And don’t forget to check out this Friday’s On mag feature on the new Washington Wine Trails board game.

IN THE PHOTO: Diane DeGooyer-Harmon, left, of Enumclaw and her brother Chuck DeGooyer of Seattle sample some Sagelands Vineyard wines offered by tasting room manager Brenda Fergusson, center, during the Thanksgiving in Wine Country event in this Nov. 24, 2006, file photo. Photo by Andy Sawyer/Yakima Herald-Republic file

Toby Bradley in the final four

Moxee trucker/singer-songwriter Toby Bradley has got to be having a bit of déjà vu right about now.

He’s once again in the final four of Country Music Television’s “Music City Madness,” a national online talent search now in its third cycle.

It was exactly this time last year that Bradley’s video for his song, “When You Come Home (Jessie’s Song),” made it into the final four, but was eliminated that week.

This time, Bradley’s song “Bill Mack Won’t Play My Track” could prove to be his big break into country music. (The winner gets to perform for A&R executives from Warner Bros. Records and a mentoring session with Randy Travis.)

This fifth round of voting is open through Monday, Dec. 1. Go HERE to vote.

Toby Bradley in the final eight

Toby Bradley still needs your votes. The Moxee trucker/country singer-songwriter is in the final eight of Country Music Television’s “Music City Madness,” a national online talent search now in its third year.

This fourth round of voting is open through Monday, Nov. 24. Go HERE to vote for the video for Bradley’s song “Bill Mack Won’t Play My Track.”

Clarification about tonight’s Plaza Socievole food and wine tastings

So, there is no such thing as a free lunch … or food and wine, as we mentioned in today’s 10 Days Out notice about Plaza Socievole.

Tonight, from 7 to 9 p.m., John Slaughter, president of the Allied Arts of Yakima Valley board of directors, will put on his “celebrity chef” hat and whip up appetizers to pair with wines at the Plaza Socievole tasting room, 120 E. Yakima Ave.

However, there is a cost for the food and glasses of wine. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Get a tux for less bucks for tomorrow’s HLAK Prom Party

So, the vibe I’m getting is that tomorrow night’s Head Like A Kite Prom Party is going to be totally crazy. People have been planning their faux-formal outfits for weeks. OK, most people. I just figured out what I’m wearing last night.

And guys, if you’re planning on going, I’m told that Lin Pauls is offering $10 off tuxedo rentals if you mention it’s for the show. Call 248-6191.

Whhhhat! Guns N’ Roses to finally release ‘Chinese Democracy’

Well, it’s finally happening … Word on the cyber street is that Guns N’ Roses’ “Chinese Democracy” will be released this Sunday through Best Buy. (Take that Dr Pepper.)

And music critics far and wide are all a-flutter. So, hmmmm, who best to turn to for a review of Axl’s 500-million-years-in-the-making swan song? On’s going with The Chuck.

Klosterman writes: “Reviewing Chinese Democracy is not like reviewing music. It’s more like reviewing a unicorn. Should I primarily be blown away that it exists at all?” Read the rest of his review HERE.

Thorpian Justin Colt Beckman invites you to his ‘Honky Tonk’

File this under shameless friend-promotion, but if you happen to be in Seattle this weekend, check out Ellensburg/Thorp/Seattle artist Justin Colt Beckman’s new installation “Honky Tonk” at the PUNCH Gallery. Justin plans on being there this Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. to host “happy hour.”

He writes: “Join me for free beer, free peanuts, free whiskey, and more country music than you can shake a stick at (bring your own stick if you want to try).”

Also check out art critic Jen Graves’ write-up on the show in today’s Stranger.

Send us your information for the annual YH-R list of decorated homes

For those of us here at On magazine — and plenty of others — one of the best ways to get in the holiday mood is by cruising around the Yakima Valley and checking out the brightly lit homes on display.

That’s why this year, On mag is continuing a tradition that spans nearly two decades at the Yakima Herald-Republic: putting together a list of tricked-up homes that could remedy anyone’s seasonal affective disorder.

But, of course, we need your help. (Seriously, because we’re new at this.)

If you have decorated your home and would like to share your holiday spirit with others, please drop us a line. Remember to jot down your address and indicate what makes your display dazzle — from the number of lights to any eye-popping spectacles. E-mail the information to on@yakimaherald.com.

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“Twilight” opens locally with midnight showings

Better channel your inner vampire, or drink a couple cups of coffee, if you want to be the first to see Edward and Bella’s forbidden love finally hit the big screen. The first local showings of “Twilight” are Thursday at midnight.

Here’s where you can see it:

• Yakima Cinema, 1305 N. 16th Ave., Yakima. Tickets go on sale at 11:30 a.m. that day.

• Grand Cinemas, 3400 Picard Place, Sunnyside. Tickets are on sale now through the box office.

• Grand Meridian Cinema, 504 E. Mountain View Ave., Ellensburg. Tickets are now on sale through the box office.

Christmas letter writing workshop rescheduled

There’s still time to sign up for Wendy Warren’s “Writing Christmas Letters People Want to Read” workshop at the Allied ArtsCenter.

It has been rescheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m.

To register, call Allied Arts at 966-0930.

“Snow Falling on Cedars” author to visit CWU

Author David Guterson, best known for his 1994 novel “Snow Falling on Cedars,” will visit Central Washington University tomorrow as part of CWU’s Lion Rock Visiting Writers Series.

Guterson, a Washington native and PEN/Faulkner Award winner, will give a reading at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Central’s Music Education Building, off Alder Street in Ellensburg.

Admission is free and Guterson will be available to sign books following his reading.

Order up that corsage; Head Like A Kite prom party this Friday

Sure, it isn’t spring, and, yeah, you’re not in high school anymore, but bust out your best ruffly tux shirt and order a corsage because Head Like A Kite’s Faux Prom Party is this Friday at the Yakima Sports Center.

First it was hats, then it was masks, now the quirky Seattle electro-pop duo is encouraging everyone to dress up in their tackiest prom dresses and suits. There’ll even be a prom photographer to capture the special night.

Also, don’t be surprised to see a film crew at the concert. 7ate9 Entertainment, which works with the likes of ESPN, MTV and the Cartoon Network, is producing “On the Brink,” an upcoming reality Webisode series about the road to musical success.

“I think they have some challenges for us that should make it crazy,” writes HLAK frontman Dave Einmo.

The show starts around 9 p.m. Friday at the Sports Center, 214 E. Yakima Ave. Also on the bill are Half Acre Day (Seattle indie rock) and Daniel Craig (Yakima teen angst). Cover is $5.

Got White Pass pics? Enter them in a slideshow competition

I know, I know, you’ve got that White Pass season’s pass hanging by the door, your skis are all waxed up and ready to go and now all you need is some SNOW!!!

Well, to kill some of that time before the first big dump, why not put together a slideshow of your favorite White Pass pics and enter the White Pass 2008 ANIMOTO Contest.

All the info is HERE.

The deadline to enter the contest is this Saturday by midnight. The submissions will then be judged by Andy Mahre, Pep Fujas and Eric Pollard of Nimbus Independent. The winner will be announced Thanksgiving Day.

Moxee’s Toby Bradley makes it through another round of the madness

Toby Bradley’s video for his song “Bill Mack Won’t Play My Track” is now among the 16 that still remain in Country Music Television’s “Music City Madness,” a national online talent search now in its third year.

Bradley made it to the top four in last year’s competition.

This third round of voting is open through Monday, Nov. 17. Go HERE to vote.

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