We may all live in the South Sound, but we create our own ways of living here.

Each one of us fits in to a demographic group, even if its population is small. Where we shop, eat, recreate and get our hair done says a lot about who we are.  

Today, we've left the cold hard data behind and created seven Pierce County residents out of thin air living in their own parallel universes.

Say hello to the Soccer Mom, the 8-Year-Old, the Outdoors Lover, the Night Owl, the Nerd, the Art Lover and the Hipster.

You may not exactly find yourself in our group of avatars – they're caricatures and you're real – but take what you want from them and make your own world.

Population: you.

Where the cultured go to find stimulation and inspiration

You live in an aesthetically pleasing world, even if that world is gritty on the edges. Where you dine, go for entertainment and shop all have one thing in common: They stimulate the senses. They inspire, they amuse, they are filled with beautiful things.

Pacific Grill, 1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma.
Dine here on chef Gordon Naccarato's innovative menu, then catch the trolley to a Pantages show.
Downtown theater district, Broadway and South Ninth Street, Tacoma.
Concerts, theater, ballet, plays and more fill the three stages that make up the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts.

Mandolin Café, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma.
It's the only place where you can get a nonfat hemp-milk latte, and handmade French-style pastries in an art-filled atmosphere.

Savi Day Spa, 1320 Broadway, Tacoma.
The Detoxifying Sea Cocoon with Vichy Rainbar rinse will get you in the right mood before heading down the hill to the

Tacoma Art Museum.
Metropolitan Market, 2420 N. Proctor St., Tacoma.
Here's where you'll find raw goat's chèvre, artisan breads and fig jam that'll make you feel like you're having a picnic on the Seine.

Dwell, 2716 N. 21st St., Tacoma.
This corner homewares boutique has that French elegance you so miss from Paris.

Museum of Glass store, 1801 Dock St., Tacoma.
For gift shopping, here's where you can get unique glass ornaments, jewelry and dinnerware designed by local artists.

Hotel Murano, 1320 Broadway, Tacoma.
The hotel was recently redesigned with glass art from around the world. This is the place to put up your out-of-town guests after a day touring the Tacoma Art Museum and the Museum of Glass.

Enoteca, 21 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma.
It's the under-the-radar wine bar for connoisseurs, with world-class wines and artisan cheeses.
By Rosemary Ponnekanti; rosemary.ponnekanti@thenewstribune.com

Tacoma after hours: Awaken to the possibilities

You're an insomniac. Or you work the swing shift. Or maybe you just like to howl when the moon comes up. In any case, you've noticed by now: This ain't Vegas, baby. The City of Destiny definitely sleeps. But there's still fun, food and shenanigans to be found after your neighbors have gone beddy-bye.

Bertolino Brothers Coffee Bar, 2421 S. Union Ave., Tacoma.
This cozy, all-night coffee shop is a great spot for burning the midnight oil. Try the cinnamon bagels. And speedy Wi-Fi comes in handy, whether you're researching a term paper or playing World of Warcraft.

Slot Kar, 3817 Sixth Ave., Tacoma.
You can buy a Ferrari here for less than 50 bucks. OK, it'll actually be a scaled-down plastic version of the F430. And it fits in your backpack. But you gotta admit: Racing those suckers is still pretty fun. It's open until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with race times posted at www.slotkar.com.

On the Rocks, 728 Pacific Ave., Tacoma.
Most Tacoma nightclubs shut down by 2 a.m. Sorry, it's the law. But if you still want to get your groove long after last call, you can head over to this Pacific Avenue dance club, which caters to a gay and gay-friendly clientele and keeps the music going till 3 a.m. on weekends.

Emerald Queen Casino, 2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma.
Bling-bling-blingetty-bling! This place is still abuzz with hypnotic slot sounds long after showroom concerts and the nightclub wind down. We'll leave it up to you to figure out how much you want to risk at the blackjack table. Having the option to grub omelets or Vietnamese noodle dishes at 4 a.m. is intriguing enough for us.

Herman's 24-Hour Diner, 8835 S. Hosmer St., Tacoma.
Sure, you could go to one o' them cookie cutter chain restaurants to get your stack of pancakes at 3 a.m. Or you can support this 24-hour diner, where you can get a burger or breakfast around the clock.

24 Hour Fitness, 5919 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. S.W., Lakewood.
All that late night/early morning munchin' ain't so good for the ol' love handles. Make this your next stop for some fat-burning cardio and pumpin' iron.

Tower Lanes, 6323 Sixth Ave., Tacoma.
You can get your strike on until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. From 10 p.m. on, your night is enhanced by the laser light show and rump shakin' tunes of Rolling Thunder Bowling. And the owners are considering bringing back 24-hour bowling after they finish remodeling. Woo hoo! Stay tuned at www.towerlanes.net.

Metropolitan Market, 2420 N. Proctor St., Tacoma.
Gotta admit, there's something nice about grocery shopping in the wee hours. You can stock up on flatiron steak without having to dodge soccer moms' shopping carts, or peacefully flip through Men's Health over by the magazine rack. Plus, it's a good people-watching spot right around 3 a.m.

By Ernest A. Jasmin; ernest.jasmin@thenewstribune.com

Even goal-oriented moms need time to kick back

You're on the go all the time, schlepping the kids to soccer matches and other activities without a minute to spare. You shop efficiently at stores that give you the highest value for your money. You're a wizard at organization, but you also know how to step off the treadmill from time to time to relax.

The Soccer Center, 2610 Bay St. E., Tacoma.
It's Tacoma's soccer hub. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., it has leagues for all ages, from kids as young as 5 all the way up to adults.

Sporthaus Schmetzer Inc., 5015 Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma.
It's the place in town for soccer equipment of all kinds. Shoes, jerseys, balls. You name it, it's got it.

DTI Sports Inc., 409 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma.
It's at least as soccer-centric as the Sporthaus, with nets and bags and benches and goals and training equipment of all kinds on sale.

Costco, 2219 S. 37th St., Tacoma.
The parking lot is usually full of SUVs and minivans, a sure indicator that soccer moms on a budget can be found within, buying groceries in bulk to feed hungry kids.

Sakura Japanese Steak House, 3630 S. Cedar St., Tacoma.
Sometimes moms and their spouses just want to get together without the kids. Once the sitter comes, this Japanese restaurant with its inviting atmosphere is where parents of kids who use the Soccer Center often come to unwind.

Dairy Queen, 1925 S. 72nd St., Tacoma.
After matches played at the field of nearby Birney Elementary School, moms often bring their kids here for burgers, fries and shakes.

Starbucks Coffee, 1901 S. 72nd St., Tacoma.
While the kids are chowing down on burgers at the DQ, the moms can head over to the Starbucks to get their jolt of specialty java. It's a regular stop before matches as well.

Sublime Salon & Spa, 1117 Broadway, Tacoma.
Soccer moms don't have a lot of time to spend on getting their hair done. They prefer to have it styled long and straight so it can be pulled back quickly into a ponytail. Some like to spice things up with a foil color treatment or bangs.

Red Nails Salon, 7313 40th St. W., University Place.
This salon is near the practice field at Evergreen Elementary School, so moms can run in after dropping their kids off for practice and get a quick French manicure.

By Soren Andersen; soren.andersen@thenewstribune.com

What you rate now you're 8

You may be only 8 years old, but you're already shedding many of the trappings of youth. You're saying goodbye to the Wiggles and Strawberry Shortcake and hello to Hannah Montana and young Anakin Skywalker. You crave independence, but are still kept close to mom and dad. That doesn't keep you from cruising the neighborhood aboard your Razor scooters and skateboards or gathering around the Wii to play a game of tennis. Here are some places that top the list of favorite places for the 8-year-old South Sound set.

Tully's Coffee, 2312 N. 30th St., Tacoma.
While Mom and Dad sip their lattes and macchiattos, kids can burn off their hot chocolate-induced sugar rush on the swings at Old Town Park. They also can get a local history lesson at the Job Carr Cabin.

Toys R Us, 4214 S. Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma.
This pantheon to Star Wars, Disney princesses, Legos, Barbie and so much more still reigns supreme among young shoppers.

Chuck E. Cheese, 4911 S. Tacoma Mall Blvd., Tacoma.
This high-energy mix of bright lights, arcade games, pizza and cheap prizes is always at the top of the list of fun places to go.

Justice Just For Girls, 4635 Point Fosdick Drive N.W., Gig Harbor.
This hip store is where the ladies like to find the latest fashion trends. You can even have a birthday party there.

Hallmark Cards & Gifts, 640 Tacoma Mall, Tacoma.
If it's Webkinz you seek, this is the place. Actually, just about any Hallmark store is, but this one's at the mall.

Fircrest Community Center, 555 Contra Costa Ave., Fircrest.
The popularity of these swim lessons is seen in the fact that moms wait in line for nearly two hours to sign their kids up at the beginning of each summer.

Odyssey I, 2310 W. Mildred Ave., University Place.
Lazer Tag, the indoor Jungle Gym and a game room help make this THE place for birthday parties.

GameStop, 5605 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. S.W., Lakewood.
Kids flock to this and eight other South Sound locations so they can plug into the latest electronic games. Kiosks let you try the newest offerings.

Pao's Donut & Coffee Shop, 6919 Sixth Ave., Tacoma.
When they want a sweet treat at a bargain price, kids will ask to head here so they can get a bag of 15 doughnut holes for a buck.

By Jeffrey P. Mayor; jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com

Outies – the kind with roof racks

You have a kayak on your roof rack the days you don't bike to work. You know the only places in town that rent ski mountaineering gear and triathlon wet suits. You can find the closest masseuse to Mount Rainier, and you know where to get the best burgers after a day on the trail. You might live in a condo and work in a cubicle, but you definitely live outside the box.

Scale Shack Burgers, Highway 706, Elbe.
The best part of hiking all day at Mount Rainier National Park is that you won't feel guilty about stopping for a shake and a $5.95 Overload Burger (bacon and cheese) or $5.55 Hot Brake (Swiss cheese and jalapeños) at this burger shack.

Backpackers Supply, 5206 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma.
Sure, serious outdoorsmen and women make regular stops at REI. But they also know that Backpackers Supply not only regularly has lower prices but also has more rental options. For example, Backpackers rents randonee gear. REI does not.

Edgeworks Climbing, 6102 N. Ninth St., Suite 200, Tacoma.
The most powerful forearms in town can be found scaling the faux rock walls in Pierce County's only rock gym. Edgeworks offers instruction for all levels, including kids. Or just drop in and climb for $15 ($23 including rentals).

Tacoma Mountaineers, 2302 N. 30th St., Tacoma.
The clubhouse for Tacoma's most influential outdoors club has offered training sessions in sports ranging from kayaking to snowshoeing since 1912. The 2,800-square-foot clubhouse is also regularly rented out for weddings and parties.

Rainier Basecamp Massage, Highway 706, Ashford.
Maybe you don't picture the outdoors crowd chillin' at the spa. But after spending two days climbing Mount Rainier or 10 days hiking the Wonderland Trail, their muscles deserve a $75 hourlong massage.

Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante, 2207 N. Pearl St., Tacoma.
You can't run a marathon or bike a century without doing some serious carb-loading. Among the athletes you might find packing away pasta at Joe­seppi's are the 11 men who meet here the week before Sound to Narrows to celebrate running every race since the event started in 1973.

Old Town Bicycle, 3009 N. McCarver St., Tacoma.
Whether you're looking to spend $8,000 on a mountain bike or just looking for free tips on good places to ride around Pierce County, this bike shop has been a favorite among locals since it opened in 1995. Old Town also has stores in Gig Harbor and Olympia.

Titus Subaru, 4030 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma.
You can't be an outdoors cliché unless you drive a Subaru Outback wagon. Sure, they're just a modern station wagon with all-wheel drive, but they'll get as much as 26 miles per gallon on your drive to the mountains, according to fueleconomy.gov.

Fleet Feet Sports, 19685 State Route 410 E., Bonney Lake.
Not only does this shop have running clinics and coordinate the Tacoma Marathon, but also it is emerging as the premier shop for triathletes in Pierce County. It is the only place in Pierce County where triathletes can rent wet suits ($40).

South Sound Running, 1736 Pacific Ave., Tacoma.
The shoe salesmen here watch you run in the store before helping you find shoes that fit your style. The staff is loaded with experienced runners and offers running clinics, including a marathon training program.

Tacoma Scuba Center, 1602 Center St., Suite C, Tacoma.
For $299 you can get a three-week open water beginner course that includes class instruction, pool time and five dives in Puget Sound. The scuba center also offers advanced and rescue training courses.

Point Defiance Park, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma.
The ultimate training ground for local outdoors enthusiasts. Hike or run on the trails, fish from the Boathouse, comb the beaches, go diving or kayaking from Owen Beach. You can also get in some stress-free pedaling on Saturday mornings when Five Mile Drive is closed to vehicles until 1 p.m.

By Craig Hill; craig.hill@thenewstribune.com

Enter carefully into the secret garden of the game geek

Your South Sound is a secret one, like a hidden level from your favorite video game, and you like it that way. You're the possessor of arcane knowledge, the wielder of ancient magicks, the roller of 20s. And you like pizza. A lot.
The Game Matrix, 8610 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma.

If geekism were a religion, this would be its principal church. Tabletop gaming magically occurs every day. And if you're losing your Warhammer matches too often, you can bolster your forces with new gear from the retail section of the store.

Northwest Sports Cards, 6812 27th St. W., University Place.
Yes, game geeks and sports geeks do mix. They've formed a perfect symbiosis at Northwest Sports Cards, where regular trading, collecting and competition occur. Get your Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card and your Magic: The Gathering booster packs all in one place.

House of Flying Monkeys, 15413 First Ave. Court S., Suite 114, Spanaway.
For those a little farther south, this well-hidden card and adventure gaming room is ground zero. All game geeks really crave is an open table, and HoFM is all about the tables. And the high-energy soft drinks.

Narrows Plaza Bowl, 2200 Mildred St. W., University Place.
Here you can grab a quick bite of bowling-alley food, which is several steps up from Cheetos and Rockstar Slurpees. And you can get some faux exercise. But perhaps most important: It has the best arcade in the South Sound.

Bates Technical College, 1101 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma.
Unless you're already independently wealthy from an inheritance or some successful dotcommery, you'll need a job. And you're probably going after your Cisco and Microsoft certifications through Bates' computer repair/networking courses.

Comic Book Ink, 1625 E. 72nd St., Suite 800, Tacoma.
Routinely nominated as one of the best comic book shops in the world, this hot spot lets you get your superhero on in grand fashion with frequent visits by world-famous writers and artists (and the occasional Stormtrooper) and space for gaming.

Olympic Cards and Comics, 4230 Pacific Ave., Lacey.
The folks at Olympic are sick of hearing/reading this, but it's the Cabela's of comics. It's a giant (7,000 square feet) couch-filled jungle of comic books, collectibles and role-playing gaming gear.

Atomic Comics, 4020 S. Steele St., Tacoma.
Comic books, graphic novels and collectible action figures galore. What more could you want? OK, it's also a hop, skip and jump away from both Krispy Kreme and the food court at the mall.

Gamebreakerz, 20611 State Route 410, Bonney Lake.
Part LAN gaming center, part geek temple, this is where gaming padewans go to learn the ways of the Force from Jedi masters. Gamebreakerz sells and repairs games and rents time on a high-speed PC gaming network and at big-screen console gaming stations.

Hot Topic, Tacoma Mall, 4502 S. Steele St., Suite 355, Tacoma; South Hill Mall, 3500 S. Meridian, Puyallup; SuperMall of the Great Northwest, 1101 SuperMall Way, Auburn.
When you're not buying your clothes from GameSkins.com, you're in Hot Topic looking for the latest World of Warcraft (“For the Horde!”) and roots gaming T-shirts (Pac-Man, Mario, Sonic, Atari, etc.).

Tacoma Public Library/Pierce County Library.
Where can you get the latest sci-fi and fantasy books for free? Oh, yeah! The liberry! Our two local systems also do a phenomenal job executing fun events for teens and 20-somethings.   

By Bill Hutchens; bill.hutchens@thenewstribune.com

The not just hip but hipster scene

You prefer thrift stores to the mall, vinyl to CD and Chromeo to Maroon 5. Hey, you may just be one o' them hipsters. And here are a few of the places in T-town where you're bound to kick it.

Hell's Kitchen, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma.
Since 2002, this Sixth Avenue hot spot has anchored Tacoma's punk and metal scenes. Plus, it's been a prime place for catching touring cult acts, including Against Me, the Melvins and KRS-One.

Bob's Java Jive, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma.
The Jive has been a local hipster mecca for generations, having been a favorite watering hole for both Bing Crosby and Nirvana when they were in town. After some lean years, this coffee pot-shaped venue has experienced resurgence as ground zero for Tacoma's burgeoning indie rock scene.

Rocket Records, 3843 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, and Buzzards Tapes & CDs, 1916 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma.
To have any measure of hipster cred, you need a music collection that's got all the vinyl, bootlegs and obscure indie bands that show people you're all deep and stuff. Stock up at these locally owned shops.

Urban Xchange, 1934 Pacific Ave., Tacoma.
Thrift store chic is a core component of hipster style these days. And that's good biz for this trendy downtown used-clothing store.

Supernova Hair & Tattoo, 817 Division St., Tacoma.
Opened by Tacoma rockers Donny Paycheck (Zeke), Pat Brown (Camarosmith) and Jana Lencioni in 2005, this is a spot where scenesters can get inked and “get their hair did” in one stop. This place rocks! Literally, since Supernova hosts rock shows and serves as practice space for up-and-coming local band Dirty Knockers.

Top of Tacoma, 3529 McKinley Ave., Tacoma.
This neighborhood-style bar and cafe is both hip and homey. It's been a prime prefunk spot since former Magoo's bartender Jaime Kay Newton opened it last year. It's favored for its chill vibe, yummy soups and killer jukebox. Plus, you can rub elbows with Tacoma rock luminaries including the F-ing Eagles, Severus and Seaweed at the bar.

Puget Sound Pizza, 317 S. Seventh St., Tacoma.
How can you tell this is the local hipster pizza joint of choice? It's there on the menu, sucka! They've got a pie named the hipster. And once you're done stuffin' your face and have a couple of Rainiers in ya, you can sing some sloppy but enthusiastic karaoke with DJ Colin.

Grand Cinema, 606 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma.
Here's where discerning filmgoers go to catch smart, independent films such as “No Country for Old Men” and “Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.” And local auteurs compete in the Grand's 72-hour Film Festival.

By Ernest A. Jasmin; ernest.jasmin@thenewstribune.com