ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment of the day comes from J.J. Syrja in response to KAOS 89.3FM being named "Best Radio Station" by readers in the Weekly Volcano's Best of Olympia 2012 issue.

J.J. Syrja writes,

Thanks to all who voted for KAOS--please visit the website, kaosradio.org, to get show times for your favorite music, news and public affairs programming.
Nearly 40 years on, we've still got an incredible array of shows and DJs--we call them programmers--who care deeply about their audience. Pass it on.

FROM WHAT WE CAN REMEMBER >>>

Last night was the annual Best of Olympia party hosted by everyone's favorite free alternative weekly, Weekly Volcano. And what a party it was. Held at the 4th Avenue Tavern, this year's event had many things working in its favor: the venue sports a kick ass music room, a laser show decorated the floor, $2 Oly beers, pool and arcade games, and there were lots of people enjoying themselves on a rain-free Olympia night.

It took an hour, but eventually the joint filled with award winners and partiers. Thanks to the Weekly Volcano's awesome Street Team, you couldn't walk past the 4th Ave Tav without noticing the hoopla.

Inside, it was the best of both worlds: A who's who of the Olympia music and arts scene pounded drinks and chatted in the main bar area, while Glass Elevator and Scott Taylor & the Fond Farewells rocked those in the music room.  In between bands, Olympia-raised Sean Peterson ran the raffle and tossed Olympia trivia into the crowd. Team Brotherhood Lounge took home the most trivia prizes.

Every half hour throughout the night, the 4th Ave Tav crew exited the music room with a towering stack on pint glasses.

Special thanks to musical director/sound engineer Ben Hawkes for lining up an awesome night of music. Glass Elevator tripped the light fantastic with an amazing, rockin' Floyd-like set. You could hear each talented musician. Scott Taylor and his Fond Farewell – the entire band dressed in white suits but individually-selected footwear - took the crowd to the other side of the '70s - the pop side. Besides worthy renditions of Michael Jackson, Hall & Oates and the Beach Boys, the band performed a brilliant version of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" that packed an, well, amazing crescendo. A few couples made out during Scott Taylor's rendition of "Take the Long Way Home" by Supertramp.

A big thanks to the Best of Olympia 2012 winners who dropped by for their awards and the $2 Olys. The Weekly Volcano crew will distribute the remaining awards over the next few weeks.

We'll post the Best of Olympia 2012 issue on our website Monday. In the meantime, the issue is nestled inside the Weekly Volcano from Federal Way to Tumwater.

Below are a few shots from last night's party.

Thanks for the fun time Oly!

CAT FIGHT >>>

The Best of Olympia 2012 is on the street, the 5,000 pint glasses from last night's Best of Olympia Party have been through the 4th Avenue Tavern's dishwasher and the pink Pepto bottle has disappeared off Editor Matt Driscoll's desk.

In a nutshell, there's a calm inside the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters - if you ignore preparations for next week's annual Music Issue.

However, there IS anger on the streets of Olympia - specifically, at Olympia bookstore Last Word Books. The Weekly Volcano named Orca Books' resident cat, Henry, the "Best Bookstore Cat" in this year's annual issue. It seems that honor pissed off another Olympia cat.

"As the resident feline at Last Word Books, I must take umbrage at your selection of Orca's Henry as the best bookstore house cat. Sure, He's a booji kitty stuck in a booji bookstore, but I am the mighty Basil. I can out-nap, out eat and scatter more kitty-Litter-ature then anyone. Thus I demand satisfaction. DEADLY HAIRBALLS AT FIFTY PACES!" - Basil the Cat (as told to Tim Jarrett).

Hang in there kitty.

P.S. The Best of Olympia 2012 will post online Monday, Feb. 20. If you follow bestofolympia2012.com you'll reach gold.

BEST OF OLYMPIA 2012 PARTY >>>

As you have probably heard ad nauseam, tonight is the Weekly Volcano's Best of Olympia 2012 issue celebration at the 4th Avenue Tavern. Beginning at 6 p.m., Thurston County residents, Best of Olympia 2012 award winners and the Volcano staff will, in a sense, form a group hug over $2 Oly beers. Yes, there will be door prizes and an Olympia trivia contest. Yes, Glass Elevator and Scott Taylor and the Fond Farewells will rock without a cover charge in sight. But, the bottom line, it's an opportunity to celebrate the awesomeness of Thurston County with your neighbor.

That said, the music will rock. Here's a look of what you can expect from the Olympia band Glass Elevator:

Wait! Crap, that's not the band Glass Elevator. Try this:

And here's Glass Elevator again without Bradford's sweet gazebo:

And here's what you can expect from Scott Taylor and the Fond Farewells:

Slow dance!

THURSDAY, FEB. 16, 2012 >>>

1. The Weekly Volcano Best of Olympia 2012 issue is on the street. Now it's time to party. We feel more than comfortable saying tonight's Best of Olympia 2012 Party at the 4th Avenue Tavern is going to be, for all intents and purposes, "off da hook." Music from Scott Taylor and the Fond Farewells and headliners Glass Elevator, $2 Oly draft all night long, a huge raffle, Olympia trivia, a large percentage of the Volcano's esteemed staff in one spot (and available for mass ridicule), and the debut of the Volcano's Best of Olympia 2012. What else could you want? Probably nothing we can deliver. What we can deliver is all the aforementioned goodness for free beginning at 6 p.m.

2. When The Second City, scheduled to hit Tacoma tonight as part of its "Laugh Out Loud" tour, bills itself as the "world's premier comedy club and school of improvisation," it's a no shit statement. The Second City REALLY IS the world's premiere comedy troupe and school of improvisation, with 50-plus years of service since its 1959 inception in Chicago, and an alumni roster that includes the likes of John Belushi, John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner. That's hard to top. At 7:30 p.m., the Second City returns to the Pantages Theater. According to promotion the show is "by popular demand." That's also a no shit statement.

3. Half the Hapa Hillbillies - steel guitar master Ben Bonham, mandolinist Kerry Williams and uke and guitar specialist Rick Hulett -will join vocalist/violinist Jessica Blinn and jazz guitarist Vince Brown for an impromptu swing jam from 9-11 p.m. at Adesso, 109 Legion Way SW in Olympia.

4. Here at the Volcano we absolutely love anything described as "an entirely indie horror/cheese fest." Since that's just such the description event organizers for tonight's 9 p.m. debut of the locally made horror flick Unsound chose for the film, we feel entirely comfortable recommending it. Worst-case scenario you'll just find yourself at The New Frontier forced to enjoy the tunes of Sleepy Pilot and Smoking Bill - which is no sad fate. With raffle prizes and drink specials also planned, as well as other shorts from Greater Wealth Productions - the local movie crafters behind Unsound - this is likely one of the more entertaining options tonight in Grit City.

5. The Deltan Club's Thursday night Beat Fetish! bass music explosion will be a special "Wright Night" birthday bash featuring DJs Omarvelous, DJ Flave, Jess E Bomb, Cyphers and guests, beginning at 10 p.m. We have no idea what that means, but exciting!

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

LINK: South Sound happy hours

DON'T BE LIKE BARRY >>>

Everyone likes a good party. Or almost everyone does. We've got this friend, Barry, who doesn't like parties AT ALL. He's adamant about it. But he's also in the minority. That's why we feel more than comfortable saying next Thursday's Best of Olympia 2012 Party at the 4th Avenue Tavern is going to be, for all intents and purposes, "off da hook." Music from Scott Taylor and the Fond Farewells and headliners Glass Elevator, $2 Oly draft all night long, a huge raffle, Olympia trivia, a large percentage of the Volcano's esteemed staff in one spot (and available for mass ridicule), and the debut of the Volcano's Best of Olympia 2012.

What else could you want?

Probably nothing we can deliver.

What we can deliver is all the aforementioned goodness for free - which should hopefully be enough to please everyone ... except Barry.

[4th Avenue Tavern, starts at 6 p.m., free, with Glass Elevator, Scott Taylor and the Fond Farewells, 210 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia, 360.786.1444]

LINK: Read the Best of Olympia 2011 issue

FEEL THE EXCITEMENT >>>

You know it's the most important meal of the day, but you just can't decide where to go. Let us help. The following breakfast meals were picked as the "best" by the Weekly Volcano staff and readers in our 2011 Best of Olympia almost a year ago. Enjoy.

Oh, and please vote in our 2012 Best of Olympia readers' poll. Thanks!

>>> BEST PLACE TO BUY ARTISAN BREAD

The Bread Peddler

Bon matin. Voulez-vous un baguette avec votre croissant? The answer to this question (would you like a baguette with your croissant?) is always yes. At least it should be when you're shopping at the Bread Peddler. Opened in 2006, The Bread Peddler is le spot numero un for gourmet breads and pastries in Olympia. Whether you're jonesing for an extra-crunchy Baguette au Levain or a scrumptious Apple Slipper, the Bread Peddler offers a multitude of choices to satisfy your urge for delicacy. French press coffee and a delicious weekend brunch menu round out this boulangerie's menu. Oh, wait, they have wine, too. C'est magnifique!   **Other great bakeries/dessert shops in the area: San Francisco Street Bakery and Tasha Nichole. - Brett Cihon

[222 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.352.1175]

>>> BEST PLACE TO GET AN APPLE FRITTER

Lattin's Cider Mill

Lattin's Cider Mill offers one hell of an apple fritter, but plan accordingly - They're only available on Saturday and Sunday. The fritters are hot, sweet and full of apple goodness, and you should come early to ensure they don't sell out. Lattin's also offers fresh local products, fresh produce, cider and pie. My favorite pie is the huckleberry - and it is worth the price. Lattin's is a great place to visit any time of the year, but especially in the spring with all the baby animals. - Brooke McKenzie

[9402 Rich Road SE, Olympia, lattinscider.com]

>>> MOST APPROACHABLE COFFEE EXPERT

Oliver Stormshak

Oliver Stormshak, the Green Coffee buyer and roaster at Olympia Coffee Roasting Co., is a great local resource for all things java. Stormshak is down-to-earth, approachable and willing to explain almost anything about coffee. His 10 a.m. cupping sessions on Wednesdays at Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. are something everyone should experience  - a great way to get in the know about coffee. At the cupping you slurp a selection of more than 10 coffees - straight up - while Stormshak leads you through the taste, scent, history and experience of each variety. - BM

[Olympia Coffee Roasting Co., 108 Cherry St. NE, Olympia,360.753.0066]

Readers' Picks

Best Donuts: Twisters Cafe & Espresso
Best Coffee: Olympia Coffee Roasting Co.
Best Barista: Caffe Vita’s Angie Dalton
Best Pastry: The Bread Peddler
Best Breakfast: Darby’s Cafe

LINK: 2011 Best of Olympia issue

MONDAY, OCT. 3, 2011 >>>

1. Holy guacamole! Wolves in the Throne Room are at The New Frontier Lounge tonight in Tacoma's Dome District. Talk about an amazing band! Here's a short ode to Wolves in the Throne Room from February's Best of Olympia 2011.

2. As is customary, DJ Melodica will take up shop tonight at Magoo's Annex and bust out another rendition of Micro Mondays, offering funk, post punk, New Wave, early electronic and garage for the gyrating, Monday-drinking masses.

3. It's open mic night at the Angels Club in Olympia. The all-ages fun starts at 9 p.m., and there's no cover.

4. Let's tally up the score for Jazzbones Rockaraoke, shall we? A chance to sing onstage with a live band? Yes. Cheap Miller High Life? Yes. A valid excuse to drink on a Monday (repeat, Monday) night? Yes, yes and, oh God, yes. Have a shot of Jager and live a little.

5. Every first and third Monday of the month Drunken Poetry gets its game on at Last Word Books in Olympia. You haven't lived if you haven't experienced Drunken Poetry at Last Word. For the rundown go here.  

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music tonight

COME OUT FOR A GOOD CAUSE THIS WEEKEND >>>

Just before 6 a.m. on Feb. 24, King Solomon's Reef in downtown Olympia caught fire. Again. Emergency vehicles and a news helicopter responded immediately - a stark contrast to the quiet, snowy morning.

"It was disbelief and panic at first," says Lindy McIntyre, co-owner of the Reef. "I remember wanting to get there faster but it was so icy out, it felt like a dream where you couldn't get where you were going."

Recognizing these hardships for the McIntyre's and their employees, Pit Kwiecinski, owner of The Brotherhood Lounge, decided to help, offering to host a Reef Benefit Show.

To read the full story, click here.

[The Brotherhood Lounge, Reef Benefit with Zargent, The Narrows, h.p.p., November Witch, Son Skull, hysterics, The Family Stoned, Seagulls, Happy Noose, Greta Jane Jazz Quartet,  Sunday, April 3, 6:30 p.m., $5-$5000, 119 Capitol Way N. Olympia, 360.352.4153]

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from "Papa" in regard to our recently published Best of Olympia 2011 Issue, in which both "Sam the Cat Man" and "Dude Man" were featured in blurbs by Scabby McCrusto, who worked specially for the Volcano on Best of Olympia 2011.

Papa writes,

What in the hell are you people thinking? Please explain how Dude Man and Sam the Cat Man have any business being given any type of positive press when those two people alone are some of the biggest problems in our downtown. Try running your business with the two of them doing drug deals, pissing on your building, smashing windows (I saw sam do this in the alley between the Eastside and Jezebels) smoking pot and drinking in public without any regard to those who work, live and depend on downtown to survive. Obviously, you don't have a clue as to how much disrespect both of those people show us and our community each and every day by their actions. You just added more fuel to the fire, thanks a lot!!