WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Camping That Sucks: Over the weekend Pierce County election officials must camp out under florescent lighting counting signatures to recall Assessor-Treasure Dale Washam. (News Tribune)

Let's Party: Bureau of Labor Statistics claims Tacoma's workers' average wage is above the national average. (News Tribune)

If Only The Weekly Volcano Had That Kind Of Money To Embezzle: Citigroup Assistant Vice-President Gary Foster plead guilty to embezzling more than $22 million. (the New York Post)

Please Oh Please Keep The Patdown: Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano said that travelers will soon be able to keep their shoes on when they pass through airport security. (Politico)

Canf I Haf A Drinkf: Evan Rachel Wood accidentally had her tooth knocked out while dancing at a Parisian nightclub. (E Online)

Stupid Internet: The co-founder of Record Store Day may have to close his own record store. (Punknews.org)

Paying The Price: The Price Is Right model Lanisha Cole sues producers for sexual harassment (NY Daily News)

MUSICAL GOODNESS IN PRINT & ONLINE >>>

What's even more fun than watching Terrell Owens "cry" on VH1 reality television because he's broke?

Not much, when it comes right down to it.

But one of the things that IS better than watching Terrell Owens "cry" on VH1 reality television because he's broke is the Weekly Volcano, and more specifically the Weekly Volcano music section. I'm a bit biased, but it's pretty much the shit.

Want proof? Fine. Here's a sneak peek at this week's stellar Volcano music section ...

INDIE ROCK: LEARNING TEAM

An indie folk mélange that ends up somewhere similar to bands like Cave Singers and the ilk (albeit taking a more circuitous route), Learning Team is a band well suited for a nap on the grass or an afternoon of no responsibility. Billed as a "summer rock" band, The Royal Sea (also from Bellingham) should only sweeten the deal. - Matt Driscoll

HIP-HOP: What's the Word? with Josh Rizeberg

Summer has been good to Craze8. I mentioned in an earlier column he went on tour. He also had time to shoot a rough underground video, "I'm On One." Check it on YouTube. The video has a strong summer feel, with cameos from $krilla and Tacoma underground favorite Tall-Can. ... -- Josh Rizeberg

THE DAMAGE REPORT: Bitten by The Fang

As time passed the tiny space filled with more and more of the lucky few (maybe 150 total) eager to get sweaty with Red Fang and some incredible rock. Openers Annunaki did a good job setting the tone with an off-kilter yet heavy set. The crowd continued to grow and drink as I mingled with fellow South Sound madmen, and even good ol' Chris "Cricket" Johnson of Action City Tattoo and his ever-increasing posse. As Seattle band Princess took the stage the mood shifted. Suddenly space in front of the stage disappeared as the volume increased and Princess got down to business. The vocalist wasted no time proving he knew how to growl and scream while the female bassist and drummer beat the crowd into submission. The guitarist had a great crunch to his sound and I was really blown away with how good this band was. The whole night I just kept thinking, "This is how I felt seeing so many up-and-coming bands in Tacoma back in the ‘80s and 90's. THIS SHOW SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN TACOMA!!" ... -- Jason McKibbin

MAIN MUSIC: Archibald Leach reunion show

Archibald Leach's music embraced a sound that is more effective in 2011 than it ever was when the band was in action. Theirs was a kind of post-punk, post-hardcore combination of proggy compositions and a relentlessly heavy sound.  ... Archibald Leach sounds more relevant to indie rock's landscape today than it did in the '90s. ... -- Rev. Adam McKinney

PLUS: Better Living Through Music - Upstairs Downstairs, Sok and the Faggots, Big Friction Jam

PLUS: Concert Alert

PLUS: South Sound live local music listings

PLUS: Insane stuff like this

ARTS COVERAGE TO END ALL ARTS COVERAGE >>>

At this point it goes without saying. If you're looking for coverage of local arts in Tacoma, Olympia, and all points in between, the Weekly Volcano is THE place to find it. Our goal is to consistently provide the best local arts coverage possible to our fantastic readers -- always be on the lookout for ways to shine a light on all the awesome creativity we see around us.

Here's a look at the Volcano arts coverage waiting for you this week in print and online.

SPECIAL BONUS: The Volcano's Fall Arts Guide hit streets today!!!

THEATER: The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

(TACOMA LITTLE THEATRE: The genuinely hillarious "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" runs through Sept. 26. Photo courtesy Tacoma Little Theatre)

Putnam County's spellers are a host of middle schoolers (played by adults) with a host of eccentricities. Some of the students' eccentricities are obvious-Leaf Coneybear wanders on in a helmet and a homemade quilt-cape, for instance -and some are less so.

Two things join each of these children: a love of spelling, and a massive helping of insecurity -- insecurity over their intelligence, their sexuality, their family and even with their success. ... -- Joe Izenman

FEATURE: PA:ID and Tacoma's Prairie Line Trail

((L to R) Todd Bressi and Lucy Begg of Thoughtbarn, PA:ID instructor Elizabeth Conner, Robert Gay and Tacoma historian Michael Sullivan Photo courtesy Lisa Kinoshita)

The Tacoma arts scene is always on the move-sometimes in ways you might not expect. Currently, a program called Public Art In Depth (PA:ID) is kicking up its heels, training a fleet of new public artists. Starting this fall, the PA:ID team will showcase artwork along an under-known facet of Tacoma-the Prairie Line trail.

PA:ID - an effort created and powered by the City of Tacoma - trains selected public artists for free via workshops, trips, hands-on experiences and mentorship. Throughout 2011 and 2012, there will be several projects available exclusively to PA:ID students, including projects for Artscapes, Metro Parks and Sound Transit. PA:ID is just another step Tacoma has taken to support local artists and provide opportunities.

"What we are doing is investing in artists who have accomplished a level of success in their studio work to teach them intensively about public art-what it is, what it entails, how one has to not only be a good artist, but also think about the site, the community, get projects engineered, and get permits," says Amy McBride, Tacoma Arts Administrator. ... -- Kristin Kendle

MOVIE BIZ BUZZ: Gig Harbor 72-Hour Film Competition

You can bet plenty of local masochistic filmmakers will not resist the Gig Harbor 72-Hour Film Competition. Sure, participants have only a weekend (6 p.m. on Sept. 15 through the same time on Sept. 18) to complete a short film. And sure, every work must include the same line of dialogue, prop, action and situation. And sure, the Gig Harbor Film Society, which organizes the contest, has even capped every team's crew to five members. That's five people, four elements, three days, two nights, one movie. But you can't make diamonds without a little pressure, and all these rules may squeeze out a masterpiece. ... -- Christopher Wood

PLUS: More local theater coverage than you can shake a stick at

PLUS: Comprehensive Arts & Entertainment Calendar

PLUS: Sneezing baby panda bears

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED >>>

After a month of changes, a couple special sections and a design intricate Tacoma Film Festival program, all I want to do is kick back with some sweet-ass music. No jostling. Certainly no shoe-gaze or cry in my beer melodies. I want sit sink into a couch to a great voice with a bit of grit ... and a glass of wine.

It seems as if the Great Road God has delivered. Singer/songwriter Kelley McRae - and her big brown VW camper van loaded with her entire life - will roll into Tacoma today with a long set list of Brooklyn-by-way-of Mississippi life experiences to share.

McRae quit her job, sold everything and hit the road with her driver/husband/guitarist Matt Castelein playing house shows, coffee houses and any venue that will have her across the country - including Tacoma's Mandolin Café tonight at 6.

The traveling songstress - and one-time actress - skips the sensitive singer-songwriter show, insteadbelts out country-influenced torch songs with R&B accents that wouldn't sound out of place on a Neko Case or Ani DiFrancoalbum.

Perfect.

Kelley McRae

Thursday, Sept. 8, 6-8 p.m., no cover
3923 S. 112th St., Tacoma
253.761.3482

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

IRREVERENT WEEKLY LOOK AT THE WILD WORLD OF SPORTS >>>

Oh, it's on now. There's no looking back. Football season is here and the next few months are going to be a gluttonous, glorious blur, bubba. Heads are going to crack. Teams are going to fold. ACLs are going to pop. Champions are going to be made. Fantasies realized. It'll be everything you hoped for and more. Like Christmas ... only better. And on HGH.

Purist and those with a keen enough eye to notice the stylistic inaccuracy of the "Strikes" format of the column will surely point out that, yes, here I go again. Talking about football. At this point it's fair to wonder if every week Cup Check is simply the continuation of an elaborate ruse designed to let me pound out 800 words on pigskin.

Honestly, I wish that much thought went into it. And the layout department wishes I kept it to 800 words.

There's no secret plan. I just love me some football. And I'm apt to yammer about it. Especially in an issue of the Volcano that hits the street on the literal day the 2011 NFL season kicks off (tonight when Green Bay faces New Orleans). Especially in an issue of the Volcano that drops the Thursday before the first Sunday in over six months that's mattered.

Sorry, God. Football is pretty damn important.

So, yeah, in honor of the start of football season it's another all-football Cup Check this week. Deal with it. Or go read the box score of the Mariners latest defeat somewhere else. You probably deserve better anyway.

To read this week's full column click here.

BONUS: A video of Terrell Owens crying and shit

THE LOWDOWN ON WHAT'S UP THIS WEEKEND >>>

WEATHER REPORT

Friday: Mostly sunny, hi 84, lo 56

Saturday: Sunny, hi 85, lo 56

Sunday: Iphone says still sunny, hi 89, lo 56

>>> FRIDAY, SEPT. 9: WE ARE ONE AT THE FALLING OF THE SUN

Celebrate the release of We Are One at the Falling of the Sun, a new children's book by local author and illustrator Tasha Ina Church, Friday at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. Promotional info for the event bills the new book as, "A children's book with great social and cultural implications," and says Church, "grew up in a multicultural home and loved to read. She wanted to create a book like We Are One to help fill the void in relevant storytelling for those who grew up in a multi-ethnic household." It seems she's done just that. As a bonus for attending, expect free admission to the museum, "friendly dialogue," not to mention appetizers and refreshments.

• Washington State History Museum, 5 - 8 p.m., free, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

>>> FRIDAY, SEPT. 9: STRUT FOR A MUTT

People can be miserable. Dogs, on the other hand, are always pretty awesome. There's just something about unconditional love and the ability to chase a tennis ball for hours on end that always wins us over. Friday, Tacoma's London Couture independent clothing store presents the second annual "Strut for a Mutt" fashion show, scheduled to go down in Opera Alley and featuring catering by AmeRAWcan Bistro, entertainment by the Imperial Sovereign Court of Tacoma and Shannel (of RuPaul's Drag Race TV show), and treats throughout from the Mix (read: wine and munchies). All proceeds of the Strut for a Mutt event go to Puyallup's Metro Animal Shelter.

• Opera Alley - Downtown Tacoma, 7 p.m. cocktail hour, 8 p.m. show, $20 in advance, $30 door, 746 Broadway, Tacoma

>>> SEPT. 9 - 25: THE PUYALLUP FAIR

As massive as the Puyallup Fair has become, P-Town's long-forgotten small-town identity still runs through it, part of the undeniable charm of the whole thing. But these days, part of the appeal of the Fair also lies in the modern-day, big-time entertainment options it provides. Over the course of its 17 days the Fair will welcome as part of its Concert Series acts like Larry the Cable Guy, the Flaming Lips, Chicago, Counting Crows, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Sammy Hagar and Trace Adkins. Grab a Krusty Pup and get down.

• The Puyallup Fair, Sept. 9-25, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, $11 adults, $9 student and seniors, children younger than 5 are free, 110 Ninth Ave. SW, Puyallup, thefair.com

>>> SATURDAY, SEPT. 10: MATTER TURNS TWO

Matter art gallery in Olympia is an area favorite - both to artists immersed in the arts scene and to the casual artistic appreciator. Saturday, Matter celebrates two years of success with a birthday party from 4 - 7 p.m. The good times will feature artist discussions, live music and "festive" refreshments, according to hype. Musically, Vince Brown and violinist Michael Gray of Pearl Django will be doling out the tunes.

• Matter, 4-7 p.m., free, 113 Fifth Ave. SW, Olympia  

>>> SATURDAY, SEPT. 10: BIG WHISKY PARKING LOT PARTY

Country music, mechanical bull, and a hope for clear skies will provide the backdrop for dance fanatics Saturday in the parking lot behind Big Whisky Saloon. By our count this is the fourth time the downtown Tacoma country-western themed club has hosted a massive party in its parking lot - although it has removed "Redneck" from the title. Did rednecks complain? Anyway, the 100.7 FM The Wolf-sponsored meat market will feature live music from Jonathan Harris and Robbie Walden & The Gunslingers, and outdoor dance floor, drinks, horseshoe pits, barbecue and the said "Bubba the Mechanical Bull."

• Big Whisky Saloon, Saturday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., free cove rbefore 6 p.m., 100 S. Ninth St., Tacoma, 253.272.0777 

>>> SATURDAY, SEPT. 10: TACOMA FOOD CO-OP GRAND OPENING PARTY

Have we adequately expressed yet how excited we are to have the Tacoma Food Co-op officially open? If you answered no, you may not be paying attention ... because we've been drooling and blabbering about the awesomeness of the Tacoma Food Co-op for months now (actually, years). In late August, after plenty of grueling legwork, the Tacoma Food Co-op officially opened. Saturday, it officially celebrates this opening with a day-long grand opening party, including samples from the co-op's many vendors and lots of smiles and high fives. Come see what all the fuss is about.

• Tacoma Food Co-op, 2 p.m., 3002 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.3344

>>> SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: POISON

No, not the band. Sunday at King's Books in Tacoma, author Karla Stover and teacher Frances Snyder will delve into the ins and outs of poison, from ancient Greece to Agatha Christie. According to hype, " Discover the unexpected as this presentation explores nature's most poisonous plants and compounds, and how they have been used for thousands of years, both in fact and fiction."

• King's Books, 2 p.m., free, 218 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.8801

>>> SUNDAY, SEPT. 11: WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S

Alzheimer's disease has the capability to ravage individuals and families. It's a truly nasty affliction, impacting both the people who get it and those who have to care for them. According to the Alzheimer's Association's own numbers, there are over five million Americans living with Alzheimer's, and 11 million more serving as caregivers. Sunday at Annie Wright School, the Alzheimer's Association offers the Walk to End Alzheimer's as an opportunity for you to pitch in and help the situation. The idea is to raise money and awareness, and maybe have a good time in the process. Those interested in participating can call or email Stephanie Watson at 206.529.3874 or stephanie.watson@alzwa.org.

• Annie Wright School, 10 a.m., 827 North Tacoma Ave., Tacoma

>>> WHERE OUR STAFF IS GOING

ALEC CLAYTON Volcano Visual Arts Critic
Saturday I'll hit Matter's second anniversary party in the afternoon then rush home for dinner and off to Capital Playhouse for Brighton Beach Memoirs.

JENNIFER JOHNSON Food and Lifestyles Writer
Volunteer work Saturday AM, birthday party that afternoon, Flight of Phanuel at Louie G's in Fife that night. Church on Sunday. Generally taking it easy after long Labor Day weekend and my own birthday last week. Sheesh, having a lot of fun is hard.

BRETT CIHON Meat Market Correspondent/Features Writer
After a holiday weekend bust, I will be headed back to Surreal Ultra Lounge to diligently evaluate the Meat Market scene.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER Meat Market Photographer
Hitting the Puyallup Fair on Friday and the Junk in the Trunk city yard sale in Lakewood on Saturday. I'll also be restringing one of my ukuleles after I managed to snap yet another string while rocking out to AC/DC for the ukulele song book.... Don't ask. Daddy likes to rock from time to time. The dog is not pleased when I do.

CHRISTIAN CARVAJAL: Theater Critic
We're seeing Capital Playhouse's first-ever non-musical production, Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs. Then on Sunday, we're bidding a fond farewell to our pal Amy Shephard, who's Exeter-bound.

MATT DRISCOLL: Editor
If all goes according to plan I'll be joining the Pierce County Council's Tim Farrell on a doorbelling excursion Saturday north of Orting. Farrell is ramping up his campaign for Assesor Treasurer. Sunday is all about football. And I'm on vacation all next week, so sayonara, beotches!

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

WHEN TWEENS GO WILD >>>

I've seen countless performances of the old-school Country and Western genre, such as George Strait (four times), Tanya Tucker, Brooks & Dunn, The Judds and Reba McEntire - just to name a few.  These experiences occurred mainly during past Houston Livestock Show and Rodeos, plus a few various Texas bars back in college. 

When I think back of my first real concert, never do any of the aforementioned shows come to mind.  If you were to ask about my first concert, I'd talk to you about the first time I saw The Cure.

Why do I not mention any of the Country and Western performers?  To me, they were simply part of my childhood.

My daughter, however, will remember last night's Taylor Swift performance for the rest of her life, as her first real concert - and it was country.

With a fanbase primarily of young girls and boys between the ages of 5-19, Taylor Swift has swept the Country and Western landscape with three platinum-selling albums and two sold-out headlining, cross-country and international tours. 

On the heels of her phenomenally popular self-titled debut album (Taylor Swift), and a second album that included her first headlining tour (Fearless) - Swift hesitated only briefly to create yet another catchy, tween-mesmerizing album that feels as though she's singing directly from her recently-old-enough-to-drink-and-possibly-have-sex diary.

Speak Now, Swift's third album and second headlining tour, recently received five nominations for the 2011 Country Music Association Awards.  Rightfully deserved, this purebred Pennsylvania girl holds her ground with strong, theatrical performances and smart, relatable lyrics.

Last night singer Josh Kelley was the pre-opening act, there as simple background music for sweaty fans to listen to while they dog-piled in front of the merch stands, hoping to score overpriced t-shirts for their kids. (Guilty.)

This was unfortunate, seeing as how Kelley's recent album, Georgia Clay, is legitimately good.  I was happy to hear him live.

Some time after 7 p.m., county-rock band Need to Breathe graced the stage.  These are some down-home, plain ol' "good guys" who make you want to pull up a tree stump around the campfire and listen to them play.  I sorta started to crush on them, but only briefly, as my daughter and her friend began chanting, "We want Taylor!  We want Taylor!" repeatedly to the tune of their own, offbeat music.

I had to agree with them.  It was a school night, getting late, and our seats in the very top rows of the Tacoma Dome would make for a great hot yoga location.  I pressed my $5 water bottle against the back of my neck for relief and tried to recall if I had put on deodorant that evening.

Finally at around 8:30 p.m. Taylor Swift made her grand entrance.  The look in my daughter's wide eyes, the gaping-wide grin, and the bounce in her wild dance moves made every effort of that evening valid.  Screw school.  This moment was what it was all about.

The crowd went nuts, and Swift, in all her innocence, sat back and watched in awe.  She might just be acting, but the look on her face let you know that she was not above appreciating what she has become to all those fans.  Moments went by as the stands went wild and Swift absorbed it all.

Hits such as "Our Song," "Mine," "Mean," "Fifteen," "Fearless," "Back to December," "You Belong to Me" and "Sparks Fly" were front-and-center during the show, with grand stage displays as though we were watching a musical with actors and a live band. Swift's facial expressions fed into the "musical" feeling, not to mention entertaining those ‘tweens.

While performing the title track of her latest record, "Speak Now," a wedding ceremony was enacted on stage as Swift swept through the crowd and shook hands with elated fans.  Landing on a small, circular stage somewhere amongst the floor seats, Swift played a ukulele to the tune of her song "Fearless," while mixing in bits of Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours."

Continuing on that circular stage, concert goers heard a rendition of Dave Matthews' "You and Me," plus a newer Swift song, "Last Kiss."  I, of course, pirated "You and Me" onto my iPhone memo recorder and sent it to a few friends, which in turn led to hilarious text auto-corrects about Taylor Swift playing Dave Matthews' dong.

As the clock struck 11 p.m. and my ass was turning into a flat, squishy pumpkin, Swift closed down the show with the ever-popular "Love Story" and my favorite, "Haunted."

The best part of leaving was ... leaving.  We hired Stonegate Pizza's limo to take us to the concert and drop us off, so passing up that long line of cars and no parking issues was da bomb.  Check out next Thursday's Person, Place or Thing for the skinny of what actually went down in the limo.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Rachel S in response to Jennifer Johnson's most recent "Lunch at the Market" column, this time around focusing on the Puyallup Farmers Market.

Rachel S writes,

I go to the Puyallup farmers market every week to get a phatty philly @ Philly This. The boys that run that booth are always fun and the philly's are always awesome!

FRIDAY, SEPT. 9, 2011 >>>

1. As massive as the Puyallup Fair has become, P-Town's long-forgotten small-town identity still runs through it, part of the undeniable charm of the whole thing. But these days, part of the appeal of the Fair also lies in the modern-day, big-time entertainment options it provides. Over the course of its 17 days the Fair will welcome as part of its Concert Series acts like Larry the Cable Guy, the Flaming Lips, Chicago, Counting Crows, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Sammy Hagar and Trace Adkins. Grab a Krusty Pup and get down from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check out today's schedule here.

2. At 7 p.m. the Amocat Café in Tacoma will host a "Special Fond Farewell to Summer and Sarah" featuring musicians John Dolge, Jeremy Bush, Megan Walter, Matthew Jorgensen, Macy Ragasa Craig Carter and others. We have no idea who Sarah is, but EXCITING!

3. Distinguished writers, poets, playwrights, short story writers, and people who scribble on cocktail napkins will step up to the mic from 7-9 p.m. as part of the Distinguished Writer Series and Open Mic at King's Books. Ken Sikes, pastor of Manitou Park Presbyterian Church since 2003, will take lead.

4. The bassoon is the Steve Buscemi of the orchestra - far from glamorous, not a romantic lead, more of a character actor. But it's the workhorse bass of the wind choir and deserves props. Paul Rafanelli, bassoon professor at University of Puget Sound, knows this. In fact, the Prof reveals that in his 14 years at the college he has never played a full bassoon recital for campus audiences. Enough is enough. Rafanelli will open the 2011 Jacobsen Series with his tribute to the bassoon: "Bassoon and Beyond: A Wily Instrument is Featured for a Night" at 7:30 p.m. inside the Schneebeck Concert Hall. Also in the house will be Dan Williams, oboe; Jennifer Nelson, clarinet; Rodger Burnett, French horn; Keith Ward, piano; Tanya Stambuk, piano.

5. People can be miserable. Dogs, on the other hand, are always pretty awesome. There's just something about unconditional love and the ability to chase a tennis ball for hours on end that always wins us over. At 8 p.m., Tacoma's London Couture independent clothing store presents the second annual "Strut for a Mutt" fashion show, scheduled to go down in Opera Alley and featuring catering by AmeRAWcan Bistro, entertainment by the Imperial Sovereign Court of Tacoma and Shannel (of RuPaul's Drag Race TV show), and treats throughout from the Mix (read: wine and munchies). All proceeds of the Strut for a Mutt event go to Puyallup's Metro Animal Shelter. You should know cocktail hour begins at 7 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: New movies open today

IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR YOUR LUNCH BREAK >>>

Supergroup Wild Flag (which played its first ever show at Northern in Olympia earlier this year) is set to release a self-titled debut record next week.

On Monday or Tuesday the venerable Rev. Adam McKinney sent me a link to the band's new video. Sadly, I'm just getting around to posting it on Spew now. McKinney points out that the video, besides being kick-ass, was directed by Tom Scharpling, host of the Best Show on WFMU, and director of videos by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Titus Andronicus and the New Pornographers.

McKinney also draws attention to points of interest like drummer Janet Weiss reading Henry Rollins' Get in the Van to an elderly man, and the band as a whole trashing a display of Arcade Fire's The Suburbs.

Wild Flag - Romance from Merge Records on Vimeo.