STEPH DEROSA: A FRIENDLY JOINT IN DOWNTOWN OLYMPIA >>>

As Bandito Betty and I spent the day rousing up the relaxed downtown Olympia area, we had thrown ourselves into shopping exhaustion. Thus, a beer was in order. Known for hosting local bands within its hidden back room, The 4th Ave Ale House & Eatery was something I had only seen at night, and in an extremely crowded situation. To belly up to the The 4th Ave's bar during the light of day was nothing short of a great treat.

Read what I discovered inside on the Weekly Volcano Web site.

BOBBLE TIKI: VOODOO ORGANIST AT HELL'S KITCHEN TONIGHT >>>

You say you want some spooky? The Voodoo Organist, the Los Angeles artist sometimes known as Scott Wexton, channels Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Devo, the Doors and an evil roller-rink to conjure a circus of lounge sounds darkly peppy. Bobble Tiki thinks he sounds like a necromantic Beck.

The Voodoo Organist will play Hell’s Kitchen tonight. Check out Bobble Tiki's column for more scoop.

[Hell’s Kitchen, with Swampy Draws, Thursday, March 26, 9 p.m., $5, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

OWEN TAYLOR: SWEATSHOP UNION >>>

Americans are peculiarly wired to not really be aware of most things Canadian. It doesn’t even seem to escape us here in the Pacific Northwest, try as we might. (And no, this isn’t going to end in some diatribe about how I think Degrassi had moments of superiority over Saved By The Bell. That’s another beast entirely.) Tonight, Olympia gets the chance to get in on one of Canada’s best kept secrets, Sweatshop Union â€" a Vancouver, B.C.-based hip-hop collective on tour in support of their fourth, and possibly best record, Water Street.

These heavyweights from the Great White North have honed their cuts sharp enough to earn a spot on fellow countrymen Swollen Members’ label Battle Axe Records. They have rocked the masses on national tours opening for Living Legends and Jurassic 5, and have been nominated for a Juno (Canadian Grammy).

With cover art from Ben Tour, another Vancouver native and Upper Playground artist, these gents seem set to decisively stamp their place into the American underground once and for all, and that would be nice, because we may need a place to crash while hustling your free healthcare, neighbour.

[The Royal Lounge, with Junkyard Gang, The Elements, Afrok, DJ Deadbeat, Thursday, March 26, 9 p.m., $7, 311 N. Capitol Way, Olympia, 360.705.0760]

MICHAEL SWAN: ON THE BIG SCREEN TOMORROW >>>

The Haunting in Connecticut: "I just can't get my head around how much money coach Calhoun makes. It's driving me crazy!"

Opening today: 12 Rounds, Brothers At War, The Cross: The Arthur Blessitt Story, The Haunting In Connecticut, Monsters Vs. Aliens, Two Lovers and Waltz With Bashir.

Discover what they hell these films are about and when they screen here.

MICHAEL SWAN: WANKERS OF THE DAY >>>

Richard “Creepy” Mitchusson

Peekaboogate

Mother Nature

Suicide Bomber

Conficker

JAKE DE PAUL: FRIDAY FOOD LINKS >>>

1022 South has a soft opening Sunday night at 8 p.m.

Sue Kidd eats a bunch of burgers. Can’t believe she skipped Asado.

Bill would allow wine sales at Capitol store.

USB buddy: A new gadget plugs into your computer and either cools down or heats up your beverage of choice.

Today’s South Sound Specials

DeLille Cellars Wine Dinner, 6 p.m., $125, El Gaucho, 2119 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.1510.

Fridays Uncorked featuring wineries from Puget Sound, 5-7:30 p.m., $12, Bayview School of Cooking, 516 Fourth Ave. W., Olympia, 360.754.1448.

Wine tasting, 6-8 p.m., $7.50-$10, WineStyles Wine & Gifts, 2665 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, 253.756.1922.

Rumor of the Day

The Top of Tacoma will soon sell PBR 40s for $5.

LINK: South Sound Happy Hours

BOBBLE TIKI: BRUNCH WITH BOBBLE TIKI >>>

dude, these mcrib sammichs r super yum. r we still going 2 the pntball this …

James “Slingshot” Artley charged with assault.

President Obama plans to further bolster American forces in Afghanistan, increase aid to Pakistan, and set benchmarks for progress in fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban in both chaotic countries.

As the page turns: America’s largest bookstore feels the economic consequences.

STEPH DEROSA: SLOW BURN >>>

5th Avenue Sandwich Shop
Hot Oly sandwich
Price: $8.50
Burn: Three and a half out of four Molotov cocktails

I love it when the restaurants make it easy for me. Let’s be honest, I love all easy foods and easy people, especially when they’re hot. (Double entendre!) But seriously folks, Bandito Betty and I ran into Olympia’s fantastic 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop, where the servers were just as spicy as the sandwich I ate that day. The minute we walked in the door sarcasm was spewing from the mouths of every female sandwich maker and server alike. It. Was. Awesome.

After all the clever teasing was finished, I decided they were going to hook me up with jalapeños galore in an amazing sandwich appropriately named the “Hot Oly.” The Hot Oly gave me a naughty burn that led well into the next day, and one which I must admit was well worth the trip down to Oly-land.

Warm roast beef, white cheese, jalapeños, pepperoncinis, and sautéed onions piled high between two lightly toasted and fresh-made slices of bread. Our server, obviously aware of my quest for internal burning, suggested his homemade jalapeño bread instead of the regular white stuff. I took him up on his offer, and was thanking him profusely throughout the meal. I’ll even admit something â€" but make sure it doesn’t get around: I had to take off some of the jalapeños midway through the sandwich. They had gotten to me then, and they certainly had gotten to me later. Yikes. I loved every bite.

As an added bonus, I’m including a picture of our server, and resident bread maker, Tim. Here you see Tim standing next to a vast display of his “bread art,” which is lovingly made with his leftover bread dough. Eat your heart out, Renoir.

[5th Avenue Sandwich Shop, 117 Fifth Ave. S.E., Olympia, 360.705.3393]