SUZY STUMP: ISN'T HALLOWEEN OVER? >>>

Since I actually had a life then, I never saw the Nov. 6, 2001 debut of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode ''Once More, With Feeling." Nor have I seen a rebroadcast. Only if plied with enough alcohol will I admit to watching a few episodes during the show's seven-season run, but then, as now, it always seemed to me like warmed-over Ann Rice meets 21 Jump Street. There are much better vampires anyway.

The vampire thriller Twilight hits theaters this Friday.  But how does Twilight's blood-sucking Robert Pattinson measure up against Wesley Snipes?  Keifer Sutherland?  Bela Lugosi? Buffy’s victims?

Time for a clever movie Web site marketing scheme.

Sixteen iconic movie vampires face off beginning today on Spout.  Each day you vote.  The winners survive to the next day.  Losers are mopped into a bucket of blood.

Vote each day here.

Results are announced and polls reopen each day at 10 a.m. EST.  The ultimate movie vampire will be announced this Friday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. EST.  

RON SWARNER: CENTENNIAL GALA >>>

Teddy Roosevelt's tree is still sitting in my car. I can't believe I forgot it. I moved all weekend. Still!

Saturday night a seedling from the red oak Teddy Roosevelt planted in front of the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory in 1905 was given to every guest at the Centennial Gala â€" the fancy party celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Conservatory, the opening of Chihuly at Seymour 100 and a few birthdays including Benjii Bittle, deputy executive director of the Broadway Center. I rubbed shoulders with Tacoma dignitaries inside giant tents filled with treats from Sea Grill, wines by McGavick Winery & Wine Styles, and beautiful Chihuly glass.

I need to run out to the car and plant that sucker.

View Centennial Gala photos I snapped at the Weekly Volcano Photo Hot Spot.

C.R. Roberts from The News Tribune covered yesterday's public opening of Chihuly at Seymour 100. The Trib's art critic Rosemary Ponnekanti paints a pretty picture of the exhibit, too.

LINK: ViVA South Sound arts and entertainment calendar 

RON SWARNER: VINUM COFFEE & WINE LOUNGE >>>

Wine bars needn’t be serious or stuffy to be enjoyable. Nope â€" that was your father’s wine. There’s no reason why wine bars can’t be playful and fun. That’s certainly the approach of Vinum Coffee & Wine Lounge in downtown Tacoma.

Last week I dropped by Annie Kim's new business for a late-night glass of Amavi Cellars Cabernet and cheese. Manager Cliff Barnes worked the crowd as if there were a two-drink minimum â€" except he made sure everyone was happy.

Housed in the spot once occupied by Aroma Café at 10th and Pacific Avenue, the handsome “lounge” has been serving breakfast and lunch for five weeks; dinner and wine for three.

They keep it simple: five white pours and six reds, all less than $10; a dozen dinner entrees listed as bites but arrive as chunks. Six cheese options arrive as three for $10 or five for $14. The three cheese plate needs two people to finish. The Spanish Egg Roll ($7) should be renamed as a log â€" a huge helping of Mexican seasoned chicken and black beans in an Asian style wrap.

[Vinum Coffee & Wine Lounge, 1001 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.8215]

SUZY STUMP: STEAK OUT TONIGHT >>>

Tell grandma to resist bringing Ziploc baggies in her purse tonight, as Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub will serve $3.99 steaks tonight from 3 to 9 p.m., as it does every Monday. Quality, fun and price like this only appear in sofa-store jingles on the radio.

[Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub, 815 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.6963]

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

MICHAEL SWAN: SEND SUZY YOUR BEDAZZLED NATIVITY SWEATER >>>

Do you showcase your holiday spirit in the form of a felt applique Santa sweater? Red or green, bejeweled or sequined, the Weekly Volcano knows your gawd-awful holiday sweaters are on the way. Whether you're a school teacher and wear the same one every year, only pull it out for Doyle's annual Bad Sweater Party (Nov. 26), or can count on Grandma to give you a new one every season, you wear yours with pride.

Better you than me.

E-mail a photo of yourself in your ugly holiday sweater by Dec. 15 to Suzy Stump, and tell her the story behind the sweater. Please include your daytime contact information.

SUZY STUMP: REASONS TO BE THANKFUL NOV. 27: >>>

Emergency room docs all over the South Sound. And their colleagues.

E-mail from home. Example: "Hi, Sis. Remember Margaret? She's now a man. Had some surgery."

The service industry. The people who make this city go.

The last items I’m thankful for take son extra meaning on Thanksgiving when a few of these heroes skip the giant meal with family and friends in order to serve you a big pile of grub. 

The Pacific Grill announced its hosting a Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 27 from 2 to 7 p.m. featuring traditional turkey and trimmings as well as vegetarian and nontraditional options. Give them a buzz at 253.627.3535 for availability.

What other South Sound restaurants will be serving Thanksgiving dinners?  If you know, post the scoop in our comments sections.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

BRAD ALLEN: FOR THOSE ABOUT TO DINE … >>>

In this economic climate, a cheap date might involve sharing a jug of Carlo Rossi over a couple Whoppers and Broadway LID-worker-watching in downtown Tacoma. How depress(ion)ing! But with Tightwad Tuesday every, er, Tuesday, you can dine on two tacos for $2, any beer for $2, well drinks, yup, $2 â€" at Hell’s Kitchen beginning at 5 p.m.

I wonder where the hell I was going with this.

On a different note: Hell’s Kitchen will be giving away a pair of tickets to the AC/DC Tacoma Dome concert during its Hell’s Belles all-ages show Nov. 29. Let me remind you that the AC/DC concert is sold out.

[Hell's Kitchen, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

LINK: South Sound live music and DJs tonight

RON SWARNER: FOOD NETWORK BARRAGE >>>

Maggie Sanford, a researcher with the Food Network contacted the Weekly Volcano a few days ago regarding an upcoming episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives centered on the Seattle/Tacoma area.

That's cool. We're happy to help. For realz.

And so are The News Tribune and Exit133 apparently. Researcher Maggie has done her homework. I think my mom received her email, too.