TUESDAY IS A GOOD FOOD DAY >>>

Leader Of The Stack: For the morning sweet toothed-diner, the Hotel Murano serves an amazing gourmet gingerbread French toast. Six gooey cinnamon and ginger swirled slices arrive on a long plate topped with crème fraiche and powdered sugar. They're so soft you could sleep on them. Whipped butter and maple syrup standby if needed - although they are not necessary. It rings in at $11.

Tuesdays With Merlot: Harbor Greens Wine Bar in Gig Harbor is now open on Tuesdays.

Love Fondue: The Love Tacoma group will love Tacoma and fondue tonight from 5:30-7:30 p.m. inside The Melting Pot in downtown Tacoma. Cheese and chocolate fondue pots will be available to dip in while proclaiming your love for Tacoma with fellow Tacoma lovers. The Melting Pot promises an explosive signature cocktail, just for Love Tacoma. Love it.

Wad Of Cheap Goodness: Tightwad Tuesday - $2 beer, $2 wells, $2 tacos - goes down today from 4 p.m. to close at Hell's Kitchen.

Future Things Are Coming: Tacoma Food Co-op presents a free screening of Fresh Saturday, May 22 at 6 p.m. inside Carwein Auditorium on the University of Washington Tacoma campus.

Food Matters: What your sandwich says about you.

LINK: Restaurant coupons

LINK: Wine and beer tastings, dinners and events

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

LINK: Send us your restaurant and lounge news

LOOK WHAT WE FOUND IN OUR MAILBOX >>>

The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts will open its 2010-2011 season with the world premiere of Boom Town by Cirque Mechanics Friday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 2. From the creators of Birdhouse Factory, Boom Town will unite some of the world's best artistic circus stars, including many from Cirque du Soleil. Tickets range from $28 to $64.

A few of the other highlights include:

Blind Boys of Alabama with Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Friday, Oct. 8, $29-$74

An Evening with Leo Kottke, Saturday, Oct. 16, $30-$50

Jo Dee Messina: The Music Room Series, Sunday, Oct. 24, $34-$64

David Sedaris, Oct. 30, $32-$78

The Color Purple, Friday, Nov. 12, $48-$84

The Sound Of Music Sing-Along, followed by the annual downtown Tacoma tree lighting, Sunday, Nov. 28, $9-$16

Seattle Men's Chorus Holiday Glee, Thursday, Dec. 2, $39-$52

Peking Acrobats, Sunday, Jan. 9, $19-$49

Nanci Griffith, Saturday, Jan. 29, $30-$69

Garrison Keillor, Thursday, Feb. 10, $44-$79

West Coast premiere My Name Is Asher Lev, Saturday, Feb. 19, $28

Jeffrey Broussard and the Creole Cowboys, Friday, Feb. 25, $39

Twist And Shout: The Definitive Beatles Experience, Thursday, March 31, $22-$58

Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Trey McIntyre Project and Ma Maison, Friday, April 8, $39-$79

Yu Wei Chinese Dance Collection, Sunday, April 17, $19-$29

Jane Monheit, Saturday, April 23, $39-$49

Fiddler On The Roof, Tuesday, April 26, $34-$76

Johnny Clegg, Friday, April 29, $39-$49

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Friday, May 13, $28-$49

Nicholas Leichter and Monstah Black's The Whiz, Saturday, May 21, $29-$59

The Broadway Center's new season isn't loaded on its Web site yet, although the Leo Kottke concert is on sale now. You may call the Broadway Center's box office at 253.591.5894 for information regarding their upcoming season.

TOURNAMENT OF PIZZA PREP >>>

Engine House No. 9

611 N. Pine St., Tacoma, 253.272.3435

Born: 1972

Pizza Style: Medium to thin crispy crust

Skinny: Built in 1907 the former firehouse now neighborhood restaurant and bar serves 10-inch pizzas baked in an oven. They offer a basic pizza - red sauce with a cheese blend - and customers pick the toppings.

Notes: On a typical Friday night, you'll find yourself dining amid a sea of families with small children, college kids prefunctioning for the night, neighborhood couples watching the game and a couple "guys night out" groups working their way through E-9's beer club. And you're not unlikely to see a couple of high school kids on their first date. It's all about the karaoke Thursday and Saturday nights. Wednesday is their popular trivia night. To join the Engine House No. 9 Beer Club, all you need to do is quaff all 47 domestic and imported beers, lagers, porters, ales and stouts served by E9 (excluding Bud Light and ilk) in 90 days.  Happy hour is 3-6 p.m. and 11 p.m. to close daily.

The Pizza: The crust on E-9's pies is crisp with a raise outer rim; the sauce sweet and tangy with rich tomato goodness; and the mozzarella/Parmesan combo arrives golden brown loaded with enough whole-milk fat to glaze the whole top with the delightful luster. The 10-inch pizzas - which arrive on a plate - ring in at $8 with toppings $1.50 each. Your choices include pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, chicken, tomatoes, black olives, spicy (yes!) sausage, salami, Canadian bacon, pineapple, garlic, red and green peppers. They don't skimp on the toppings.

For not pushing their pizzas much in their marketing, I have to say that E-9 offers up a truly decent pizza. Maybe a spritz of basil and oregano before it hit the oven would put it more squarely in the pocket, but hey - you don't walk away broke like you can at several other pizza joints in Tacoma.

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday.

The Weekly Volcano will host a South Sound Tournament of Pizza competition in March 2011, much like our Tournament of Tacos. Our readers will seed the tournament.

FORUM: Best pizza in the South Sound?

LINK: Engine House No. 9's happy hour

LINK: Engine House No 9's taco

The Weekly Volcano follows the people you're too embarrassed to >>>

Just like most good, new-age, social media applications, Twitter allows people to share and be privy to once personal, almost wholly pointless information about peoples' lives. It's seemingly endless. While Twitter is mostly full of everyday, ho-hum people - just like you and me, sharing info about what type of oatmeal we ate for breakfast and where we get our hair cut - Twitter is also a magnet for the moderately-famous.

Stars of yesterday, illiterate millionaire athletes, former cast members of Saved By the Bell - you can follow them all, intimately, on Twitter.

But, you've got standards. We get that.

That's why we'll do it for you, in a feature we like to call Weekly Volcano Twitter Stalker.

This week, checking in with...

Mark Hoppus

May 13: Mark Hoppus is Bob Villa

"Just had the first-ever conversation that included the phrase "raise the roof" in actual reference to increasing ceiling height." via Twitterific, 11:16 a.m.

May 5: Mark Hoppus is political

"I wonder if tanning salons in Arizona have seen a sudden downturn in business." via TweetDeck, 9:39 a.m.

April 20: Mark Hoppus is capitalist

"Thinking about opening an aviary called Bird, Bat, and Beyond." via TweetDeck, 1:38 p.m.

Tune in tomorrow for more tweets from the life of Mark Hoppus (@markhoppus)

TACOMA REPRESENT >>>

These two posters arrived at the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters yesterday. The art struck our fancy.

Speaking of great art, check out RR Anderson's latest Tacomic.

LINK: Tacoma Urban Art Festival

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010 >>>

1. The rain has thrown a wrench in the spokes of Bike Month in Pierce County. For example, The Red Hot intended to host an outdoor screening of the bike flick American Flyer tonight at 8:30 p.m. Everyone was encouraged to ride their bikes to the Sixth Avenue tavern, and the New Belgium Ranger IPA and Blue Paddle Pilsner was to flow like wine. After studying weather charts, Red Hot owner Chris "Trashcan" Miller decided to fold up the outdoor chairs and bring the party indoors - same Hot venue, same Hot time. 

2. Maurice The Fish Records musicians perform at 7 p.m. inside the Tempest Lounge. Hopefully newly signed Maurice artist Kim Archer will perform, too.

3. The Tacoma Community College Chamber Orchestra performs Beethoven Symphony No. 7 and Bellini's Oboe Concerto in E-flat at 7:30 p.m. inside TCC Building 3.

4. The play Annie continues its run at the Capital Playhouse with a 7:30 p.m. staging. Read our review here.

5. Angela Reed performs an all-ages show at 7:30 p.m. inside A Rhapsody In Bloom Florist and Cafe Latte on Sixth Avenue.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Win a $200 dinner at El Gaucho Tacoma

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Pop Rock: I tell you this honestly: There was a period of my life when I would walk along with a copy of Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies by Of Montreal in my CD player, and it truly scared me. Walking the Tacoma streets at night with the schizophrenic pop blaring in my ears was enough to make me question my sanity. Social Studies take this sound and - thankfully - soften it a bit. The super clean, psychedelic pop sounds are still there, but stillness and ease are added to the pot, creating an easier, not quite so disturbing listen. Some songs even venture further into the more comfortable realm of pop-rock, without relinquishing the buzzing baroque that made the band special to begin with. Giving your mind a moment of rest is not a weakness. Wednesday, May 19, 7 p.m., all ages, The Den@urbanXchange, 1934 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280 - Rev. Adam McKinney

Dark Pop: Hotel St. George's music is a kind of damaged pop that we've grown to know through bands like Spoon or Guided By Voices - as disparate as those bands might seem. Their melodies are pure and catchy as all get out, but the vocals and lyrics are desperate, longing pleas for love - or maybe just help. The guitars are strummed with veined forearms and gritted teeth, and the vocals keep it cool over an undertone of panic and unease. This kind of dark pop sustains music in general, coming along every so often to make sure it prospers. And we, as its consumers, inherit its riches to someday pass on to our heirs. Music - pop music - is the circle of life. Hotel St. George live on in that tradition. With Johnny Cheezbrgr, Apes of Wrath, Fine Slew, Wednesday, May 19, 10 p.m., no cover, Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710 - Rev. AM

Acoustic Rock: Playing in a variety of bands, Jonny Smokes dabbles with everything from bass to keyboards but is best known for his flawless acoustic sets where he performs dazzling originals and choice covers from bands such as the Eagles and Alice in Chains. In addition to his original music, Smokes has been a member of the Pink Floyd cover band the Empty Spaces and the AIC cover group Jar of Flies, which spawned the side project, the Smoking Lounge. As for solo performances, what began as stripped down acoustic cover songs with just a guitar and vocals has turned into a major musical production as Smokes has added an arsenal of effect pedals, pre-recorded percussion and backup music to his show, creating a richer and fuller sound. Wednesday, May 19, 9 p.m., The Swiss, 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821 - Tony Englehart

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

LINK: Vote for your favorite Tacoma band

GREYHOUND IS FOR BORING PEOPLE  >>>

Third Thursday ArtWalk is back with a potpourri of new art and a fix for your inner voyeur. As usual, the greater downtown Tacoma galleries, museums and businesses will open their doors to art enthusiasts this Thursday from 5-8 p.m., many providing appetizers and wine.

Yes, it's going to rain like a sonofabitch. Therefore, it might be a wise idea to ride the ART BUS.

Angela Jossy and her Speakeasy Arts Cooperative posse have raised the roof on their bus - bumping up the Tacoma gallery stops to 15 including newbies Sanford & Son, Peabody Waldorf, Tacoma Art Supply, urbanXchange, Smooth & Juicey, and Bella Balls. A $10 button - designed by Maureen McHugh and created by Rochelle Wells - allows riders 10 minutes of hardcore art viewing per stop followed by zaniness aboard the bus during travel periods. Friendships have been born, businesses have been formed, babies have been created (the last statement hasn't been confirmed) - the bus is as much fun as the art.

Two rounds of eight stops will begin at 5 and 6:50 p.m., respectively, in front of the Speakeasy at Seventh and Broadway. Your button allows you to hop on the bus at any stop during Round One and be delivered within two to three blocks of your original location during Round Two.

Read more...

TODAY IN DRINKS >>>

Red Hot Lunch: Tomme Arthur of Lost Abbey and Port Brewing will drop by The Red Hot during lunchtime between noon and 2 p.m. today.  Meet the man; drink his beers. 

Half Price Wine: Ramblin Jacks and I.Talia Pizzeria of Olympia, Sip and Brix 25 of Gig Harbor, and Primo grill and Woody's On the Water of Tacoma all discount their bottles of wine by 50 percent tonight. More details here.

Two Of 99: Sample two beers for $1 from 4-9 p.m. today at 99 Bottles in Federal Way.

Future Things Are Coming: Star Chefs on Broadway 2010 will consume the Pantages Theater Sunday, May 23 with live music, silent and live auctions and incredible cabaret performances under the direction of Kevin Joyce of Teatro Zinzanni. The event, which starts at 5 p.m., features dishes from Pacific Grill, Brix 25, El Gaucho, Affairs and several other South Sound restaurants. The charity event raises money for Broadway Center's arts education programs. The cost is $175 per person. To reserve your spot, call 253.591.5894.

Food Matters: Burgerville chain prints personalized calories counts on customers' receipts.

LINK: Restaurant coupons

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

LINK: Send us your restaurant and lounge news

The Weekly Volcano follows the people you're too embarrassed to >>>

Just like most good, new-age, social media applications, Twitter allows people to share and be privy to once personal, almost wholly pointless information about peoples' lives. It's seemingly endless. While Twitter is mostly full of everyday, ho-hum people - just like you and me, sharing info about what type of oatmeal we ate for breakfast and where we get our hair cut - Twitter is also a magnet for the moderately-famous.

Stars of yesterday, illiterate millionaire athletes, former cast members of Saved By the Bell - you can follow them all, intimately, on Twitter.

But, you've got standards. We get that.

That's why we'll do it for you, in a feature we like to call Weekly Volcano Twitter Stalker.

This week, checking in with...

Mark Hoppus

May 18: Mark Hoppus is psychic

"I think at the end of LOST, we finally discover if Ross and Rachel end up together." via UberTwitter, 9:24 p.m.

May 14: Hoppus tries to prove he's actually an intellectual via Twitter. Booyah!

"I like to go big on Friday nights!! Tonight: staying in, reading early 20th century French Modernist philosophy. Booyah!!" via TweetDeck, 8:36 p.m.

May 14: Hoppus is forgetful

"Crap, I forget!! What was the second rule of Fight Club, again?" via TweetDeck, 8:22 p.m.

Tune in tomorrow for more tweets from the life of Mark Hoppus (@markhoppus)