RON SWARNER: NORTHWEST REGIONAL BARISTA COMPETITION >>>

In January the Weekly Volcano moves into our hibernation mode, when we take cover in layers and brave the outside only for necessities. That includes well-crafted espresso drinks, which leads us to the Northwest Regional Barista Competition to be held Jan. 9-11, 2009, at the Temple Theater in Tacoma. We're coming out of our cave for this one.

Yup, Tacoma.

Not Seattle or Portland, but Tacoma.

And Tacoma will participate, too. Black Water Café, Satellite Coffee and Forza are among those involved with the action.

Here’s the NWRBC commercial to get you steamed up: