Sitting in the heart of Tacoma's Proctor District, hidden in the upstairs portion of the Old House Mercantile, diners will discover Soul, a restaurant teeming with Southern bites and Puerto Rican flair. The dishes carry a home-cooked appeal such as blackened fish (tilapia and catfish) and fried chicken and waffles - accompanied by hearty sides including mac and cheese, sweet potatoes and collard greens.

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Dreaming of the '90s, this is Nerd Alert, the Weekly Volcano's recurring events calendar devoted to all things nerdy. I myself am a Star Wars fan, mathlete, and spelling bee champion of long standing, so trust me: I grok whereof I speak.

THURSDAY, FEB. 27

Portlandia's fourth season of gentle sketch satire at the expense of the PNW begins on IFC at 10. They should totally put a bird on that.

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GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING SPORT FOR 2.25.14 >>>

After more than four decades, Vietnam War hero to receive Medal of Honor.

Congress and others in the defense community pushed back on Pentagon plans to cut 120,000 personnel from the active and reserve Army ranks, retire entire fleets of Air Force aircraft and sideline Navy ships.

The Pentagon's proposed 2015 budget includes a surprise proposal to raise health care fees for active-duty family members which, if approved, would mark the first increases in health care costs for those beneficiaries since Tricare was established nearly 20 years ago.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said the Pentagon cuts send the wrong signal to the world.

Calling the Air Force's decision to retire the A-10 combat jet a "serious mistake," Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., is pledging to fight the retirement in Congress.

The U.S. Defense Department is proposing limiting troop pay raises, reducing housing allowances and cutting funding for commissary stores because of automatic budget cuts.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey wants feedback from servicemembers on the fiscal year 2015 defense budget request that he and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel outlined to reporters at the Pentagon yesterday.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel made a clear statement that the Air Force plans to invest heavily in new engine technology.

After her second month in office, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James laid out her top three priorities as part of a "state of the Air Force" address.

Lump-sum payouts set for Korea tour extensions.

Army researchers, scientists and engineers are collaborating and sharing to leverage limited resources and discover leap-ahead technologies.?

Navy vet invents the BakBone, a better way to hold an iPad.

What military food ration packs look like around the world.

In memory of Harold Ramis, New Yorkers are leaving Twinkies and flowers in front of the Ghostbusters firehouse.

Good News: Taco Bell is about to start serving breakfast.

Here's a recap of what happened on Seth Meyers' first Late Night.

Fred Armisen's Late Night playlist (on Spotify) is pretty fantastic.

List: Board games that could make great movies.

List: Tech figures portrayed on film versus how they look in real life.

Toy Story: The true identity of Andy's mom makes the movie more epic.

Silicon Valley is gonna be BOSS. Watch        

TUESDAY, FEB. 25 2014 >>>

1. Anyone who has seen them - dance enthusiast or not - can tell you that Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a feverish love poem to the human body. Ailey founded his company in 1958, with an emphasis on ballet lines in the lower body and modern movements in the upper body. Ailey II embodies Alvin Ailey's pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. According to pre-show hype, "Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the most talented young dancers with the passion and creative vision of today's outstanding emerging choreographers." Under the artistic direction of Troy Powell, expect an exhilarating and diverse repertory of timeless classics and thrilling new works at 6:30 p.m. in the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Mainstage.

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Considering the rich history of cheap, hastily produced films aimed at a Christian audience, it's sort of surprising how infrequently a high-profile version of that - like Son of God - comes around. On the whole, Christian moviegoers have never quite wanted for movies that pander to them, but it's the rare occurrence when something like The Passion of the Christ comes down the pike. Consider the recent "War on Christmas" screed, Last Ounce of Courage, which would be laughable if it weren't so infuriating.

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Last week we announced a new club store format was to open at McChord Field. As reporter Melissa Renahan wrote, "The new format will feature a huge, new section of the store entirely dedicated to club packs and other oversized packaged products commonly found in commercial warehouse club stores, such as Costco or Sam's Club. DeCA called the new store format a "Commissary Club."  

The Joint Base Lewis-McChord Public Affair Office forwarded a statement today confirming the official opening date of the Commissary Club at the McChord Field Commissary will be Friday, March 7.

Read our full story on the new Commissary Club here.

The Spartans of ancient Greece would be proud of the "Spartans" of the 595th Military Police Company, 508th Military Police Battalion (Internment/Resettlement) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Tuesday afternoon, the unit - under the command of Capt. Adam Fulton - received for the first time the coveted Brig. Gen. Thomas F. Barr Award for fiscal year 2013.

The award is presented to the best military police unit (company or smaller) that is attached to or supportive of the Army Corrections Command.

"Today we honor the hard work this unit has done," said the company's 1st Sgt. Kathryn Fair.

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GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 2.26.14 >>>

The Pentagon's 2015 war spending proposal is on hold as the U.S. waits to see if Afghan officials approve a deal that would allow NATO forces to remain in the country beyond the end of the year.

Hagel: Lack of agreements narrows options in Afghanistan.

Pakistani Official: U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014 means civil war.

Eyeing Afghan exit, U.S. intensifies campaign against Haqqani militants.

DoD gambles on sequester.

Hagel chats with troops about 2015 defense budget proposal.

The extra $26 billion eyed for the U.S. Defense Department in 2015 would fund readiness initiatives and other "base budget type of stuff."

Budget seeks missile fixes, future technology.

Two Defense Department nominees in the policy arena - Christine E. Wormuth is nominated to be undersecretary of defense for policy, and Brian McKeon is nominated to be principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy - shared their visions of DOD's future in a Senate Armed Service Committee confirmation hearing yesterday.

Great Britain and the U.S. have signed a defense pact aimed at increasing the number of collaborative science and technology programs undertaken by the longtime allies.

The stunning resignation of the military lawyer who was prosecuting an Army general on a charge of forcible sodomy is raising new questions about how commanders are handling sexual assault cases.

The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments have published new guidelines on post-concussion care.

North Korea is the darkness.

A soot stamping on a human face forever: How the revolution will be defeated.

This doesn't sound good: The number of plainclothes federal officers protecting aircraft from terrorists has gone down in the past three years.

No more straining your arms for a good shot. The CamMe App lets you prop up your phone and take a picture from 16 feet away. 

"I am a porn star. I am a college freshman. You know nothing about me."

The dramatic evolution and nine obscure facts about The Simpsons.

Super Mario World is the key to parallel universes.

Epic towing fail.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26 2014 >>>

1. The descriptor "New York Times Bestselling Author" isn't exactly what it used to be. James Patterson literally craps bestsellers. Then again, if becoming a bestselling author was easy we'd probably do it ... you know ... instead of pounding out sentences late into the night for little to no recognition here in our Volcano-issue cubicle in Building 3 at Northwest Military Headquarters. Author J.A. Jance has published like a gazillion mystery and crime novels. She's a legitimate New York Times Bestselling Author, not to mention a half-time Seattleite. Jance's newest book in the Ali Reynolds series - Moving Target - was released Feb. 18. Jance will speak and sign books at the University Place Library at 7 p.m. Free tickets to the event are available from the library in advance.

2. Seattle-based artist Erich Woll will be working in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop as a visiting artist from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The residency was awarded to Woll as part of his Juror's Choice prize, which he received for his piece "How Often Do You Get Burned" at the 2013 Red Hot Auction and Gala. Currently designing another piece for Bellevue Arts Museum, Woll will hang all week in the Hot Shop to continue working on the project, entitled "Mistakes Will Be Made."

3. The folks at Pour At Four wine bar in Tacoma's Proctor District dig Powers Winery in Kennewick. Apparently the wines pour well across the board and are priced favorably. Drop by between 5:30 and 8 p.m. for complimentary tastes.

4. One of our favorite Far Side cartoons, by Gary Larson, depicts a pair of grizzled cowboys sitting around a campfire at dusk. One is handing the other a cup. The caption reads, "More cappuccino, Raoul?" Yes, times are changing. We have to co-exist with coyotes. How? Good news: The city of Gig Harbor, along with West Sound Wildlife Shelter, will host a presentation to discuss co-existing with coyotes, offering fun facts about coyotes and information about living in safety and harmony with these intelligent animals from 6-8 p.m. in the Gig Harbor Civic Center.

5. Larry Wayne Gatlin is an American country music singer/songwriter. He is perhaps best known for teaming up with his brothers Steve and Rudy in the late 1970s, becoming one of country music's most successful acts of the 1970s and 1980s. Hear a little history when the trio performs at 7 p.m. at the Little Creek Casino in Shelton.

LINK: Wednesday, Feb. 26 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Puyallup River Brewing - still riding the high of the Hawks Super Bowl win - will release a new brew, We Are The Champions IPA Friday, Feb. 28. To pair perfectly with its new pint of hops, the brewery will host a taco night, beginning at 5 p.m. at its Puyallup River Alehouse. Thanks to a partnership with Sweet and Savory catering, the tacos will be amped with hand-fried corn tortillas and fresh ingredients. The We Are The Champions PIA taps release at 7:30 p.m.

Can't wait for Puyallup River Alehouse fun? Bear Republic Brewing Co. drops in at 6 p.m. tonight with beers, giveaways and raffle prizes.

PUYALLUP RIVER ALEHOUSE, 120 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.268.0955