WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2011 >>>

1. Hands of Toil rocks the Wednesday Sessions at Jazzbones tonight. For some reason the Volcano's comprehensive live local music listings originally had the venue as Hell's Kitchen. We're not sure what's up with this, but we fixed it. Take a gander at the rest of Wednesday's musical offerings and let us know if there's anything else we botched ...

2. The Steilacoom Pub and Grill Steilacoom offers "Trivia with Dave" tonight. Sounds awesome, no?

3. The always awesome James Coates brings his game to the Tempest Lounge tonight from 7-9 p.m.

4. Vote for the sexiest South Sounders you know and help the Weekly Volcano round out its highly anticipated second annual Sexy Issue.

5. According to the hype, one can "Explore the use of oil pastels, acrylic paints, ink and watercolors," tonight starting at 5 p.m. at Tacoma Art Place. It's all part of the Materials and Techniques of Painting series which goes down every Wednesday.

EASTER MAY BE OVER, BUT PEEPS LIVE FOREVER >>>

What is it about those garishly colored marshmallow-and-sugar candies shaped like chicks? I could call them the Easter equivalent of fruitcake, except I actually like fruitcake.

But Peeps? A friend's Facebook status update revealed the existence of tequila-infused Peeps ("really gross"), although a web search turned up not recipes but peeps of the human variety consuming tequila. You can, however, make hors d'oeuvres with them. 

Perhaps, though, these mysterious creatures are not so much candy as toys. The Olympia Timberland Library seems to be taking that position with its Peep Into My Favorite Book Contest. The library invites you to create a shoebox-sized diorama starring Peeps and having literary or library-inspired roots. The contest is open through May 7. Dioramas will be on display at the library (313 Eighth Ave. S.E., Olympia) and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony Wednesday, May 11.

Rules and entry forms are available at Timberland libraries.

Submissions begin Wednesday, April 27.

A DIARY: 72-HOUR FILM COMPETITION BRINGS JOKES AND YOLKS, FOLKS >>>

Thursday/What are we gonna do?

The text message lit up my phone a few minutes after 7 p.m. The message simply read: "Prop: an egg, line: What are you going to do about it?, location: dock or pier, one character must have a super power." The messenger, my friend Jeff Axtman, sent me this film recipe from inside The Grand Cinema on Thursday night. Marooned at work, I couldn't witness firsthand the kickoff of the 72-Hour Film Competition.

As I served customers their food and refreshments my mind whirred. ... So, our team's short had to center around the above four elements. I haven't participated in this contest since 2007, but that same old momentary flash of panic and confusion raced through me. As long as creativity comes with a deadline, I'll probably always feel this. The last item on the list troubled me the most: How would we visualize superpowers without resorting to time-consuming FX trickery? Despite my worries, I take comfort in the realization that somehow, for better or for worse, my friends and I will greet Sunday night with a finished film.

Axtman's old film school chums, Andy Case and Topher Ruxton, rounded out the rest of our little group. I finished my shift as quickly as possible and headed to The Rock, where my partners had already begun tossing around story ideas. During the 30-minute car ride I contemplated possible scenarios, but still no pieces clicked in place.

At almost 10 p.m. I entered the pizzeria, empty-headed and hoping my crew had something workable. Luckily they did. Case knew he wanted us to tackle comedy this year, yet he prefaced his concept, funnily enough, with, "Please don't laugh." As he explained the plot to me I knew within seconds it could work. It also came packaged with clear logistical perks - a cast of only two characters, minimal locations, and as a bonus, virtually no outlandish props to hunt down. The knots in my stomach loosened -we had our script. The hard part behind us, we spent the rest of the night thinking, Now how many egg-cruciating puns can we squeeze into five minutes? Let's get crackin'.

Friday/Come to Life (or Turn to Life?)

We commenced shooting Friday morning at Axtman's house, where the bulk of the script takes place. After a slow start of positioning lights, rehearsing lines and blocking actors, we found our rhythm, filmmakers again. At a certain point, all our collective energy and concentration begins to live only for the fictional microcosm we've created in this small space. The only reminder of the outside world's existence is a faint droning from the lawnmower next door (curse you, sunshine!). I returned to work that afternoon, leaving the guys to figure out how to photograph an egg dancing inside a carton.

The egg does quite a bit of traveling in the movie, and we wanted the audience to see the world through its "eyes." So Ruxton devised EggCam (patent pending): he attached a wire hanger to the base of a hardboiled egg, and taped the apparatus to the camera's lens hood. The egg manages to scurry through long blades of grass and launch itself at Case's character without looking hokey.

Saturday/Editing

(PHOTO: Case and Ruxton with director Jeff Axtman behind them)

"I came up with a title," Axtman told me in his car. He and I were returning to the Des Moines Marina to rerecord ambient audio for the epic man-versus-egg showdown. (The sea wind played havoc on the camera mic.)

"What is it?" I asked. So far we had all drawn a blank on a good name for our short that didn't give too much away.

"IT Came First," Axtman replied. The phrase references the classic riddle and, since our story contains strains of horror, also harkens back to the shlock '50s B-movies. So we ran with it. (Hey, it was either that or Hardboiled.)  

We walked down the Marina's long pier to find a quiet corner and capture a good chunk of sound. No such luck - we had to contend with a steady stream of planes overhead, and crowds around us soaking up sun. The near-perfect weather may have given us optimal shooting conditions, but we had no time to enjoy it.

We headed back to Axtman's house, where inside Ruxton had taken over the tedious task of logging the several hours of footage in Adobe Premiere Pro. After a day and a half of shooting, we could all kick back a bit, enjoy a beer and watch as the story began to take shape on the computer screen.

(PHOTO: Ruxton editing footage of Case for the 72-Hour Film Competition)

Throughout the rough cut Ruxton, nestled under his headphones, would laugh when he cut two shots in a certain way or included an actor's expression, and made us all huddle around the small monitor to assess his handiwork. Eighteen hours of the contest remain - we still have to find the right music and sound effects, and Axtman has to record all his dialogue for Mr. Egg. Sleep comes after. ...

Sunday/The End

Fortunately we wrapped shooting yesterday - the rains have returned. I spend Easter with family in Federal Way, knowing that up in Burien my teammates have put the last touches on IT Came First. I chat briefly on the phone with Steph DeRosa, who got her own film into The Grand four hours early. It sounds like for her first time the weekend moved very smoothly.

For the more serious filmmakers, this contest is a vacation of sorts. It really demands your full attention, so that for three days all other distractions fade into the background. Already I want another holiday, and can't wait until the viewing party at the Rialto May 6. 

LINK: 72 Hour Film Competition details

THE POLLS ARE NOW OPEN >>>

Spring is in the air.

This means lust is in the air - and in the pages of the Weekly Volcano.

Once again, the Volcano is unleashing The Sexy Issue, giving one and all the chance to gaze at the sexiest people in the South Sound - as voted on by all of you, our dear readers.

Our annual celebration of the flesh, The Sex Issue is the Weekly Volcano's way of showcasing the South Sound's sexiest denizens - and by denizens we don't mean celebrities; we're talking about regular dudes and dudettes who just happen to look sexy as hell. Not just cliché sex appeal, of no relation to AXE Deodorant Body Spray campaigns, and certainly much more than mere looks, the Volcano Sexy Issue attempts to answer simple question: What defines sexiness in the South Sound?

This year, we are asking you to nominate the person who makes you all hot and bothered in the following categories: Bartender, Barista, Delivery Person, Real Estate Agent, Athlete, Servicemember, Drummer, Tattoo Artist and Mom.

On Thursday, June 2, the Weekly Volcano will publish The Sexy Issue, immortalizing the sexy, chosen few forever.

Help us find them.

Voting ends May 12 - so help the Weekly Volcano find the South Sound's hottest citizens. Vote today!

Vote for the South Sound's sexiest people (please include where they work):

TUESDAY, APRIL 5: WE HAVE A WINNER >>>

After three weeks of voting the Weekly Volcano readers have picked the most popular pizza joint in the South Sound.

The Tournament of Pizza Championship match pitted longtime Tacoma favorite Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant against the Westside Olympia powerhouse Apollo's Pizza & Pasta.

Yesterday's championship battle saw the most online voting before dinnertime (5 p.m.) of the tournament. Katie Downs had a commanding lead by time the voting switched to the live ballot voting at 6 p.m. during the Tournament of Pizza Party Inside The Schooner Pub in Lakewood. At the party, folks filled out pizza voting/raffle ballots when they weren't pounding beers and screaming at the televisions. The pizza voting couldn't help but supercede the ugly NCAA Men's Championship hoop game in which UConn held the Butler Bulldogs to a title-game record-low 18.8 percent shooting.

But, as promised, we tallied the on-location votes during halftime of the hoop game, which ended up dead even.

Representation from Apollo's Pizza & Pasta and Katie Downs were in the house. Apollo's arrived early with a stack of piping hot pizzas. The Olympia pizza joint passed out free slices to the crowd, showing their hospitality and their skill at pizza pie perfection. The Katie Downs crew arrived halfway through the first half of the basketball game - also sporting pizzas. The crowd didn't leave hungry. The free pizzas were a surprise to all. The Weekly Volcano would like to extend a special thanks to The Schooner Pub for being cool with the pizzas.

At halftime of the basketball game, Pappi Swarner jumped behind the bar, grabbed the house PA, and gave away 10 or so raffle prizes, most to the lucky former Clover Park High School coaching staff contingent in the house.

The Weekly Volcano staff quickly downed their drinks and tallied the ballots. After combining the ballots with its 79 percent vote lead accumulated online, the winner of the 2011 Tournament of Pizza was announced:

Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant.

Both South Sound pizza joints will be receiving Tournament of Pizza trophies after completion of the engraving. Also, look for an upcoming feature on Katie Downs in the Weekly Volcano.

Katie Downs congratulates Apollo's Pizza & Pasta for a good battle.

Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant staff

So it's official: Katie Downs is the winner of Weekly Volcano's 2011 Tournament of Pizza. Eat it up, South Sound.

Thank you!

We would like to extend a special THANKS! to al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine for sponsoring the Tournament of Pizza. When you are in downtown Olympia, stop by al Forno Ferruzza for a slice or two.

Also a big thanks to The Schooner Pub in Lakewood for hosting our Tournament of Pizza Finals party last night. Good times.

But most of all, thanks to all the awesome folks who voted. You rock.

MONDAY, APRIL 4: THIS IS FOR ALL THE PEPPERONI >>>

The titanic pizza throwdown finale in on! Voting for the 2011 Weekly Volcano Tournament of Pizza Readers' Poll Championship game is live right now.

After three weeks of voting, you have picked the most popular pizza joints in the South Sound area. What began as 64 slice-slinging joints has been narrowed down to two: Katie Downs and Apollo's Pizza & Pasta.

Who do you think has the best pizza?

Today's Championship Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

Vote for only one pizza joint, then scroll to the bottom and click "Done." Only one vote per person. Any duplicate or Spam responses will be disqualified.

Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant vs. Apollo's Pizza & Pasta

Only 16,280 pizzas end-to-end separate Katie Downs on Tacoma's Ruston Way  from Apollo's Pizza & Pasta in West Olympia. This is Tacoma vs. Olympia people. This is for pizza bragging rights for the entire South Sound.

Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant serves 6-inch and 12-inch deep-dish pizzas loaded, and we mean loaded with cheese. They offer eight theme pizzas, which they call "classic combinations." You can also create your own pizza. Each pizza is hand rolled and baked for 20 to 25 minutes. It's a 21 and older joint with a full bar. It's named after original co-owner Mike Ebert's grandmother. They accept pizza to go orders, but we can't fathom why you'd ever leave their view

The sleek Apollo's Pizza & Pasta just released a new menu last week. Besides being able to create your own thin-crust pizzas (small, medium and large) with pillowy edges, they offer specialty pies, too. New additions to the menu include Phoebe's Phave - a comforting mouthful of thick crust with mac 'n' cheese and pepperoni toppings - and the Arika - a cheesy creation with spinach, onion, cashews and ricotta cheese. They also serve a 7-inch pita pizza. Apollo's sports a side bar titled "Heaven" with a large screen television and low-priced cocktails.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2: IT'S DOWN TO TWO >>>

Over the past three weeks, the Weekly Volcano challenged 64 of the South Sound's best pizza joints to go slice-to-slice in a showdown of culinary combat. Some fell easily by the wayside, either due to inferior skills or simply because they faced a superior opponent. Slice by slice, we ate our way down to yesterday's Final Four: Apollo's Pizza, The Fan Club, Katie Downs and Rollies Tavern. It was do-or-die, win-or-fly, bring-your-best-pizza-pie. After the last pie emerged from the oven, nearly 7,000 people voted. There's a rumor that regional government officials might change our "South Sound" to "South Round."

Yesterday's Results

Apollo's Pizza & Pasta vs. The Fan Club Sports Bar

Apparently, it's all in the cheese. Yesterday, we added a comment section in the voting process and cheese dominated the answers in regards to why people love Apollo's Pizza & Pasta. While crust was the word in favor of The Fan Club, cheese popped up over and over as 65 percent of the voters clicked on Apollo's Pizza & Pasta sending the Olympia pizza joint into Monday's Championship game. Congratulations to The Fan Club, a 15th seed (!), for an impressive run.

Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant vs. Rollies Tavern

Katie Downs received a number one seed by our readers through preliminary voting in February. And the Tacoma waterfront restaurant proved worthy of the title, knocking out Alfred's Café, Engine House No. 9, Puget Sound Pizza and Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery to grab a Final Four slot. Rollies, the popular hangout at the end of McChord Air Field, secured a number two seed in the East Region, and putting the hurt on The Right Spot, Vince's, Aversano's, and Trackside Pizza, before facing Katie Downs in the Final Four. The Weekly Volcano Steno Pool called it the game of the tournament, which is hard to argue with a one and two seed battling it out. When the last pizza pie hit the table, and a lead it never gave up the entire day, Katie Downs grabbed 66.5 percent of the votes.

Monday's Championship Game

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

Here we go. Apollo's Pizza & Pasta out of the South Region will face Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant, the top pie out of the Greater Downtown Tacoma Region, Monday, April 4 when the polls open around 9 a.m. Online voting runs until 5 p.m. At 6 p.m. the voting opens back up live at the Tournament of Pizza Final Party at The Schooner, 5429 100th St. SW in Lakewood. Ballots will be handed out, which will also serve as raffle tickets. The live vote will close at halftime of the NCAA Men's Tournament final and the South Sound Pizza champion will be announced.

So, pack the car and eat at Katie Downs one night and Apollo's Pizza & Pasta the other night. Compare notes with your neighbors. Then come Monday, vote here on Spew then join us at the Schooner.

Thanks again everyone for voting.

LINK: What's up with this pizza tournament?

LINK: Oh hell yes I want the Weekly Volcano newsletter!

THURSDAY, MARCH 31: BAKED EIGHT >>>

For the last two weeks we presented you with a compelling question: Who makes the best pizza in the South Sound?

Well, we're closer than we've ever been to finding out - at least based on the voice of you, the readers and voters.

Today is a very special day in the Volcano's Tournament of Pizza - the Baked Eight. Yes, only eight out of an original 64 area pizza joints remain, each doing battle today to stay alive and fight on toward ultimate Tournament of Pizza glory.

If we were you we'd just call in sick, grab some Rolaids and watch it all unfold.

Short of that, a good place to start would be by voting below.

Yesterday's Results

Aversano's vs. Rollies Tavern

Despite a late push from Sumner's heralded Aversano's, Rollies and its large, devoted, strongly Air Force following proved too powerful in yesterday's action, catapulting into the Baked Eight with a resounding victory. Rollies is known for toppings, toppings some might say cover more than 63 percent of the delicious pizzas. Strangely, that's exactly the percentage of the vote Rollies received yesterday. Weird. Today Rollies will face Trackside.

Louie G's Pizza vs. Trackside Pizza

As you may have gathered since Trackside will be competing against Rollies today, Puyallup's favorite pizza joint (at least based on Tournament of Pizza results) was able to fend off Louie G's of Fife yesterday and play its way into Baked Eight. After an impressive run, Louie G's - even with the newfound support of the all-ages music scene - couldn't climb the mountain that was Trackside - which scored roughly 70 percent of the vote in victory.

Katie Downs Waterfront Pizza vs. Puget Sound Pizza

We feel bad for the kids on this one ... especially the kids in tight pants. But something tells us they'll survive, and they'll do so in tasty style with the Puget Sound Pizza they (and much of the area, it seems) has come to love. Unfortunately for Puget Sound Pizza, the task yesterday of taking down Katie Downs was simply too much - and the votes told the story. When all was said and done, Katie Downs moved on with nearly 89 percent of the votes in the day's most active contest.

The Rock Brick Oven Pizza vs. Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery

The way Upper Crust has managed to bring it during this year's Tournament of Pizza has been nothing short of amazing. Yesterday, many already had established competitor The Rock penciled in as a winner. Those people, however, where foolish - as Upper Crust once again proved its pizza prowess. The votes don't lie, and when the final buzzer sounded Upper Crust had racked up roughly 80 percent of the vote and comfortably moved into Baked Eight competition.

The following four pizza joints will advance to the Baked Eight:

• Rollies Tavern
  
• Trackside Pizza
  
• Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant
  
• Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery
  

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles. Vote for one pizza joint per battle, then scroll to the bottom and click "Done."

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30: STUFFED 16 GAMES >>>

You know how yesterday we said you, much-appreciated readers, had responded in droves to our Tournament of Pizza so far this year.

Well, we lied. We hadn't seen anything yet.

Yesterday was droves, people, perhaps more. Yesterday was just plain freakin' nuts.

An astounding 2507 of you took a minute out of your schedules to participate in yesterday's Tournament of Pizza action - shattering all previous records (which is something we had the pleasure of saying a lot this year).

It was awesome. When it comes to pizza, it's obvious you really care.

Maybe too much ...

On to today's Tournament of Pizza action and yesterday's results.

Yesterday's Results

Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante vs. Delbrocco's Pizza, Steak & Hoagies

R-E-S-P-E-C-T is how the song goes, and that's just what unheralded Delbrocco's has been earning so far in the Tournament of Pizza, knocking off Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante yesterday and garnering - get this! - 73 percent of the vote. This is all the more impressive when you consider Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante took out Cloverleaf Pizza just a round earlier, meaning - by the power of Tournament of Pizza deduction - Delbrocco's, and its Philly style pizza action - can claim superiority over both. What's the world coming to? Find out when Delbrocco's moves on to face the currently enfuego Fan Club of Lakewood.

Fondi Pizzeria vs. The Fan Club Sports Bar

Honestly, poor Fondi Pizzeria never had a chance in this one. In a day of voting that shattered all previous Tournament of Pizza records, The Fan Club was likely the catalyst - bringing in (no shit) more than 1,700 votes. Take a moment to digest that performance. If it's a sign of things to come, The Fan Club - which amazingly entered the tournament as a 15 seed - has to be the odds on favorite to win it all. Now, digest that. Crazy, man. Just crazy. Their taco pizza may have something to do with it. But the ability to round up 1,700 votes in a single day probably has more.

Apollo Pizza & Pasta vs. Infernos Brick Oven Pizza

In a day of blowouts, Apollo of Olympia only continued the trend, knocking out Tumwater's Inferno's Brick Oven Pizza, a venue that defied the expectations of many just by reaching this point (if only for lack of Tumwater knowledge). In a packed South Region that originally held heavyweights like Oldschool, Vic's and even Smitty's, Apollo - originally a nine seed - now finds itself one win away from the Final Four. Next up for Apollo ...

Ricardo's Restaurant vs. Casa Mia Italian Restaurant

To be blunt, Ricardo's did far more damage in the Tournament of Pizza than anyone here at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters anticipated. We know the Lacey destination more for its steaks than pies. Taking out Smitty's in the first round, and later Farrelli's of DuPont in the second, was impressive to say the least. However, those good times came to an abrupt halt yesterday when Casa Mia once again flexed its muscles, perhaps emerging as the odds on favorite to make the Final Four out of the South Region. Snagging 76 percent of the vote, it was another dominant performance for Casa Mia, a local favorite that seems to be getting stronger with every victory.

The following four pizza joints will advance to the Baked Eight:

• Delbrocco's Pizza, Steak & Hoagies
  
• The Fan Club Sports Bar
  
• Apollo Pizza & Pasta
  
• Casa Mia Italian Restaurant
  

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles. Vote for one pizza joint per battle, then scroll to the bottom and click "Done."

TUESDAY, MARCH 29: STUFFED 16 BEGINS >>>

For the last two weeks we presented you with a compelling question: Who makes the best pizza in the South Sound? And you have responded in droves. Sick days have been used. Friendships have fallen apart. Pizza delivery boys and girls living together - mass hysteria!

The competition has been whittled down to the Stuffed 16. Yes, 16 South Sound pizza joints are poised to make the final push to the Final Four, which will begin Friday.

So, read up on yesterday's action, and then vote on the first four games of the Stuffed 16. It’s in your hands, mouth, and stomach, folks. Do us proud.

Yesterday's Results

Aversano's Italian Restaurant vs. Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery

These two East Pierce County restaurants traded pepperoni shots all day until around 4 p.m. when Aversano's began to pull away. Rumor has it Aversano's got behind its Greek pizza with its white and marinara sauces and heavy dose of feta and pushed through the Powerhouse' electric wall. As the clock hit 11:45 p.m., Averano's had 54 percent of the votes, and a spot in the Stuffed 16.

Vince's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria vs. Rollies Tavern

Rollies grabbed the lead early in this game and never looked back, nabbing 58 percent of the votes when all was said and done. Some believe recent airings of The Right Stuff on the boob tube could have swung the vote in Rollies favor, due to its proximity to McChord Air Field, being that Chuck Yeager was a bad ass and all. Anyway, Rollies moves onto the Stuffed 16 to take on Aversano's tomorrow.

Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant vs. Engine House No. 9

Katie Downs and Engine House No. 9 have been battling it out ever since Katie Downs came on the scene in 1982. The Engine House wished it could be a waterfront restaurant where patrons daydream about owning that sailboat drifting past the wall of windows. Kate Downs wished it could have the Engine House's beer club and awesome popcorn. Both are successful businesses, but yesterday Katie Downs brought it - and brought it big – capturing a whopping 89 percent of the votes. Its deep-dish pizza - with massive amounts of cheese that a few twists of the fork produces a cheese lollipop - moves into the Stuffed 16.

Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza vs. Puget Sound Pizza

"It's not New York or Chicago ... It's Puget Sound Pizza!" That's the slogan over at Puget Sound Pizza, the tiny joint Jim built into a Tacoma institution, and then the beloved Martin took over. The matrimony of their garlic-butter brushed crust, spirited sauce, the perfect amount of gooey cheese, and our favorite ingredients - pepperoni, olives and peppers - is what brings us back time and time again. Apparently, we're not alone. PSP put a hurt on the popular local chain Farrelli's, grabbing a shocking 84 percent of the votes. PSP will battle number one seed Katie Downs tomorrow in the Stuffed 16 games. Some say this is THE BATTLE of the Tournament.

The Rock Brick Oven Pizza vs. Harmon Tap Room

Yesterday at 5 p.m. The Rock and Harmon Tap Room were dead even. Over at The Rock, folks ate the wood-fired, hand-tossed pizza off tableside serving trays while Alice Cooper teased the crowd about school being out. Over at the Tap Room, people pressed their faces against the window gazing at the brew masters waiting for their Sicilian style pizza and growler to be filled. Then, we posted that the two were tied. Bam! classic rockers started texting and The rock pulled away to finally grab 60 percent of the votes before the polls closed. That's the power of rock 'n' roll folks.

Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery vs. Primo Grill

Holy crap! Turnout for this contest was like the turnout at a dunk-the-banker booth at the Taste of Tacoma! Both pretty pizza makers Upper Crust and Primo did their darndest to mobilize their base, and though Primo Grill ran out to an early lead, Upper Crust fans had an amazing, jaw-dropping late afternoon push that had the stamina to carry through the evening and snatch victory from the fancy Sixth and Pine joint with a 160 more votes. Unbelievable. Upper Crust moves on to the Stuffed 16 to take on The Rock tomorrow.

The following six pizza joints will advance to the Stuffed 16:

• Aversano's
  
• Rollies Tavern
  
• Katie Downs
  
• Puget Sound Pizza
  
• The Rock Wood Fired Pizza
• Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery
  

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles. Vote for one pizza joint per battle, then scroll to the bottom and click "Done."