MATT DRISCOLL: NEKO NEWS >>>

As you may have seen earlier on Spew, one of Tacoma’s favorite children, Neko Case, released her eight record (under her own name), Middle Cyclone, on Anti- Records today.

While I have yet to hear it, knowing Case, I’m sure it’s entrancing and amazing. Case has a way of casting dark, smoky, alt country spells. Just ask Rockin’ Rod.

On Thursday, June 4, Case will play the Paramount Theatre in Seattle with special guest, Jason Lytle of Grandaddy. Tickets for that show go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m. through Tickets.com, or in person at the Paramount or Moore Theatre's box offices and 24-hour kiosks located outside The Paramount & Moore Theatres. Fans can also charge tickets by phone at 877-STG-4TIX, or online at STGPresents.org.

PHOTO: Myspace

RON SWARNER: ALL SIGNS POINT TO YES >>>

MICHAEL SWAN: SPEWED >>>

Sorry about the afternoon's gaps in posting. It's chaos around here. Everyone's excited about Thursday's issue. My ashtray is full! Where the hell did the intern go?

In the meantime, join our Facebook Fan Page.

MICHAEL SWAN: CLOSE ENCOUNTER? >>>

STEPH DEROSA: MONTHLY WINE SPECIAL IS NOW WEEKLY! >>>

Well I’ll be damned. For some strange reason, and I don’t know if it’s just because her new bifocals have been messing with her brain, but Megan The Red Hot bartender has not 86’d Bandito Betty and me from Wino Wednesdays at said Sixth Avenue tavern. That’s some messy luck right there, if you ask me.

Once again, one of my favorite all-time drinking establishments, The Red Hot, will be hosting a night for those of us who dabble in drinks of the fermented grape varietal. Tonight, you can join me and bifocal-wearing Megan for large pours of Vintage Ink, Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir, 14 Hands Cab, and Tilia Malbec/Syrah Blend during The Red Hot’s NOW weekly Wino Wednesday event. If you prefer things on the lighter side, bifocal Megan will be pouring whites such as Kestrel Pure Platinum, Kamiak White, and 14 Hands Chardonnay â€" all for only $3.

Look, I know it’s my job to try and convince you that this shit is cool and you really need to be there, but in this instance I’m not kidding when I say you’re surely missing out if you intend on skipping this one. True story: This past Friday the Weekly Volcano’s very own Sandee Glib (remember her?) brought over an obscene amount of Tilia Malbec/Syrah Blend for my cronies and me to experience, and it surprisingly rocked our world. So much so that I wanted to bathe in Tilia Malbec/Syrah Blend that night. The stuff is good, I jest you not.

I mean, think about it â€" who knows more about getting your wine-drink on than me? Besides Lindsey Lohan. What? Too soon?

[The Red Hot, Wednesday, March 4, 6 p.m., 2914 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.0229]

STEPH DEROSA: I FINALLY POSTED THIS >>>

Sunday, I spent a few quality minutes at Tacoma's best paper fest, book and letterpress extravaganza Wayzgoose. Yesterday, I spent a few more minutes cursing my computer for delaying this post.

Wayzgoose started five years ago as a collaboration between King’s Books public relations guru sweet pea and Jessica Spring, a professor at Pacific Lutheran University. They both had a desire to recognize Small Press Month and local printers. Wayzgoose is the name of printer festivals that happen around the nation where individuals come together to swap printer equipment.

I enjoyed my brief time Sunday with the likes of RR Anderson, Chris Sharp, James Stowe, Joe Izenman, Jessica Corey Butler, and King's Books part-owner Pat McDermott chatting up all things words.

A few highlights include letter pressing with Lance Kagey of Beautiful Angle, watching sweet pea on the steamroller, buying handmade cards from second-grader Abegale McDermott's new Guinea Pig Press, picking up new posters from Jessica Spring (and chatting with her hubby Tim Allen and her son Jack), grabbing a flying genitalia charm from Jenny Craig, and paper-making with the guys from L'Arche Farm and Gardens.

It was a short time spent with all my fellow paper lovers, and I sure do miss them already. I posted a few photos of the event on the Weekly Volcano’s Photo Hot Spot.

BOBBLE TIKI: BREAKFAST WITH BOBBLE TIKI >>>

A Gig Harbor neurosurgeon who treated the teenage kayaker critically injured Sunday puts a twist on Steve Martin’s Famous song: “Oh, I'm picking out a thermos, for you / Not an ordinary thermos, for you.” The doctor substituted “picking” with “smashing your face in.”

Tacoma City Manager Eric Anderson is in line for a big raise.

Obama is a hit!

The New York Times uses Internet magic to map out the geography of the recession: Jobless rate in Pierce County rose 2.5 percent this last year to 7.2 percent; Thurston County rose 1.7 percent to 6.1 percent.

Who’ll lead the GOP? Rush? Steele? Palin? A porn enthusiast?

Thank gawd intelligence is back in fashion in Washington?

Bizkit dreamed of going for the Gold.

STEPH DEROSA: TACOMA'S FIRST NIGHT RULES >>>

As much as we love squeezing my ass into a silky chiffon evening gown and struttin’ my stuff on the red carpet for an awards ceremony, it didn’t happen. I wasn’t invited.

Something did come from the ceremony â€" Washington Festivals and Events Conference â€" last week. First Night Tacoma won not one but FOUR awards, two of which were gold! 

First Night Tacoma pulled these awards out of the sweat palms of WFEA:

• Festival Newspaper Insert â€" Silver
• Souvenir Pin/Souvenir Button â€" Gold
• T-Shirt Design â€" Bronze
• Web Site â€" Gold

The Weekly Volcano tips our top hats to you, First Night. We feel honored to have sponsored such a fine event. Kudos to director Bennett Thurmon and the First Night board of directors for a job well done.

I can’t help but wonder exactly how much our commemorative First Night souvenir button will go for on eBay.