Did you know Wells Fargo donates homes to soldiers with help from the Military Warriors Support Foundation? It's true. In fact, it happened again Monday when former Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier Spc. Marcos Garcia shoved a key into his new Federal Way home. Garcia, who was severely injured in a mortar attack in April of 2007 while deployed in Iraq and was awarded the Purple Heart, now lives in a mortgage-free home thanks to the two organizations.

That's awesome.

Read up on the program. ...

Read more...

Comment On This Post

I had grand ambitions this weekend. I had a stern talk with my ankle to bring it in line. I had an adventuring partner and a destination. Oh yes. We headed out to the Greenwater area for a short easy hike. Problem number one? Despite a promising weather forecast of sun, heading up Highway 410 we alternated between total downpours of rain/hail/snow and bright sunshine. Bipolar weather. Great. Problem number two? The great ankle fiasco. I got excited when we spotted the White River. It was running fast and high so we stopped the car to get out and admire it.  It took me 10 minutes to go 10 yards from the car to the river. Not exactly a pace that works for a hike, no matter how short. Well ... crap. We ended up doing some light exploring but ultimately admitted defeat.

On our way home we went hunting for a comforting sugary treat to drown our disappointment, when suddenly our adventure practically jumped up and bit us. The West Hylebos Wetlands.

Located in the middle of Federal Way suburban sprawl, the West Hylebos Wetlands would have never made my list. I mean really. It's in the middle of suburbia! Traffic! And even when in it you never really forget that you are in the middle of a city, but it was still a terrific little oasis.

We ventured across the parking lot and down a gravel path. It was flat and even. Very standard for a city park. Until the gravel path came to an end at the edge of some woods and a wooden boardwalk disappeared into the trees. A bunny hopped out in front of us and nibbled on some grass. I half expected it to sit up and talk to us. Instead he disappeared into the brush. I took it as a sign. I mean how often do you get to follow a rabbit down a rabbit hole?

The boardwalk was surrounded by dense underbrush and the ground was almost swampy, adding to the feeling of venturing into another world. Spring was just beginning to show with green tips on all of the bare branches and salmon berries in full bloom. One of the viewing stops was supposedly over a 200-foot deep water hole created by the decomposing bog. Slightly creepy especially when the frogs decided to take flying leaps to show their displeasure at our presence.

We only saw a few people. Bird watchers who were fixated on something high in a tree. The entire experience was surreal. I mean how often does one stumble upon a 100+ acre wetlands in the middle of the city? Especially one so quiet on a Sunday afternoon that looks like a set for the TV show Once Upon a Time.

The boardwalk took us through swamp, forest, to look at big trees and a lake, before returning us to the bright sunny meadow where we first saw the bunny. As we blinked from the bright sunshine we looked for our furry guide but he was nowhere to be found.

I drove by again before writing this column just to be sure I didn't dream it all up. But no dear reader, it's real. I encourage you to pay the wetlands a visit. What will your story be when you follow the rabbit down his hole?

West Hylebos Wetlands

411 S. 348th St.

Federal Way

FRIDAY, DEC. 28 2012 >>>

1. Humble Cub's last album, back in 2010, concerned itself with the beach, Five Mile Drive, and the sensation of hanging onto youth and relationships in long car rides and buzzed hikes. Telegram From Your Future Life, the band's latest, is conversely all about living, working and playing music in downtown Tacoma - an urban wood not entirely dissimilar from the beach that so enamored frontman Allan Boothe back in 2010. Humble Cub releases its new CD tonight with Roswell at The Space in downtown Tacoma. The all-ages show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Read Rev. Adam McKinney's review of Humble Cub's album Telegram From Your Future Life in the Weekly Volcano's Music section.

2. Federal Way Commons Mall (1928 South Commons, Federal Way) hosts an indoor market from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Expect produce, crafts, food and other goods. Stay warm and shop market style.

3. Tis the season to entertain and be jolly. Let's be honest, spirits help. Liquor store giant BevMo (2330 S. 37th St., Tacoma) opens its tasting room 4-7 p.m. for New Belgium Folly and Blue Moon Seasonal sips.

4. At 5 p.m., local artist Lisa Kinoshita presents Bridle Show at Fulcrum Gallery, where she will discuss her experience with the inmates of Dear Lodge, Mont. and share the meticulous process of horsehair hitching which passed through more than a century of inmates. Prisoners are allowed to sell their art in the gift shop, often bringing in thousands of dollars while preserving the craft and providing a sense of self-worth.

5. Immigrant Pilgrim — Patrick Galactic and Chris Nunley — perform an all-ages show at 5:30 p.m. inside the Amocat Cafe in Tacoma.

LINK: Friday, Dec. 28 arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

Barring any new Movember drunken people donning mustaches photos, the Weekly Volcano is going to use the holiday as an excuse to take a rare day off. So, please people, for our sake, dig out that ol' music box that plays "Born Free," open a new doughnut shop or start your own Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project.

And we totally want photos of your family's fight to the death over who has the damn Tupperware. The Weekly Volcano knows every year someone brings Tupperware to collect leftovers and every effing year it disappears.

We'll all see you back here tomorrow for 5 Things To Do, The Weekend Hustle and other glorious posts.

Remember: baste often.

LINK: Movies

WHEN WINGS AND SMARTS COLLIDE >>>

John Hines, a teacher at Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, is one of 15 contestants competing on the JEOPARDY!Teachers Tournament, vying for the $100,000 cash prize. Hines's episode airs at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Nov. 8, on KOMO 4 TV.

To celebrate his upcoming match, Hines invites the public to watch the episode, and chow down on big piles of wings, tomorrow at Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar by the Tacoma Mall. Hines has added a fundraising element to his television viewing, asking folks to help support the Foss High School football team, which he coaches.

If Hines wins his quarterfinal match tomorrow, he will advance to the semifinals and then to the two-day finals. If he loses, he'll take home $5,000. A loss in the semi-finals will nab him $10,000. However, Hines is a coach. He only sees W's — although the $50,000 second prize and $20,000 third prize aren't shabby paydays. Any one of those dollar amounts will buy more shoulder pads than a towel boy could carry.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS GRILL & BAR, THURSDAY, NOV. 8, 7:30 P.M., 4219 S. STEELE ST., TACOMA, 253.473.7699

The weather is turning beautiful here out in the Pacific Northwest, and within weeks we are graced with sunshine in return for the rainy hardship of winter. For those wanting a unique, challenging experience on the water, Kikaha O Ke Kai Outrigger Canoe Club has exactly what you are looking for.


The group meets every Tuesday and Thursday at Steel Lake Park in Federal Way, just north of Tacoma. Kikaha O Ke Kai has both Women's and Men's programs, for those who want a competitive or recreational atmosphere. One, two, and four person canoes can be used, with the most common being six. At times, two six-person canoes are rigged together to form a double canoe. The Club wants to make sure this is the right sport for you, and they offer 3 free tries. During these trails, you will receive instruction from the coaches, and have the experience of being out on the water with 5 others in the same canoe - all at zero cost to you. After your tries are up, you then have the option to sign up for an annual membership. The cost is $100, but the insurance will cost you $30.


While the competitive season started this April, Kikaha welcomes anyone who is interested. The season lasts until September, and the regattas last all day long with events starting at 500 meter races, then on to 1000 meters and 1500 meters. There are relay events you can choose from as well but for those wanting to test endurance, there are longer distances available ranging from five to 16 miles. If you opt for the solo canoe, the season does last during the winter, with the season wrapping up in early April.


The Pacific Northwest Outrigger Canoe Association (PNWORCA) oversees outrigger canoe racing in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho. If you would be interested in even longer distances throughout Washington, California and Hawaii, there are races ranging from 26 to a 42 mile races throughout September and October.


Whether you want to do this either recreationally or competitively, you have to be prepared. Life vests are optional, as is cold weather gear. This could be anything from multiple layers of clothing, to neoprene booties and wetsuits. The Club is out there in cold and hot weather, so make sure to dress appropriately. They will, however, cancel both practices and races in the event of thunderstorms. You do not have to have your own canoe to join the Club, and for practices you can borrow a Club paddle. Kikaha O Ke Kai welcomes those of all ages and experience, just bring your motivation to learn, and willingness to try something new.

>>> VOTING CLOSED FOR MARCH 22 <<<

Low and behold, today marks the closing of the Tournament of Breakfast's first round. After today's battles the bracket will officially be down to only 32 area breakfast joints, and the competitions are getting fiercer by the minute. Honestly, if it gets any more exciting we'll start to understand why Dick Vitale is always yelling. Plus we'll have serious back fat.

Without wasting anyone's time with pancake issues, let's look at yesterday's results AND today's Weekly Volcano Tournament of Breakfast action, which comes from the East Region.

Yesterday's Tournament of Breakfast Results

Here were the match-ups:

Shakabrah Java (Tacoma) vs. Laura's Bayview (Tacoma)

Lobster Shop South (Tacoma) vs. C.I. Shenanigans (Tacoma) 

Masa (Tacoma) vs. Quickie Too (Tacoma)

Harmon Brewery (Tacoma) vs. Hob Nob (Tacoma)

Honestly, we're not sure why Shakabrah Java, a number one seed in this tournament, was allowed to sponsor the Tournament of Breakfast (other than the obvious reason that we need the hard cold cash), but what we do understand is Shakabrah has a following - so strong of a following, in fact, that the longtime breakfast player was able to easily defeat Laura's Bayview Cafe in yesterday's action in what amounted to a blowout. Shakabrah, after scoring 81 percent of the vote yesterday in a resounding victory, moves on to the second round. Hey Shakabrah! Thanks for help making this competition possible. Truly.

Unexpectedly, Lobster Shop vs. Shenanigans was an epic battle ... the kind of thing Tournament of Breakfast "instant classics" are made of. A surprisingly low scoring affair, with much of the action on defense, the eighth seeded Lobster Shop South and the ninth seeded C.I. Shenanigans were in a dead heat - literally tied - going into the final hour of the competition. Back at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters, Tournament of Breakfast officials frantically discussed what to do in the case of a tie? Overtime? Coin flip? See which establishment could deliver a Denver omelet to our Lakewood office the fastest? Luckily, after a late social media push on our part (we were checking our Twitter anyway ...) C.I. Shenanigans edged out the win, securing exactly 51.6 percent of the vote. This one will go down in the history books.

The Sixth Avenue Mexican restaurant Masa quickly comes to the lips of many when discussing the best South Sound breakfasts. So, perhaps it's no surprise that the restaurant frequented by families and hangover victims alike did serious damage in yesterday's action, kicking Quickie Too to the curb while garnering a respectable 62 percent of the vote. Impressive victory since Quickie Too was tied with Masa at 1:46 p.m. Masa moves on as a breakfast to reckon with in later rounds of Tournament of Breakfast action. Hold your head high Quickie Too.

Across from Wright Park, the Hob Nob offers a comprehensive breakfast menu with delectable specialties and serves it all day. Favorites include the Dungeness Crab Omelette, fresh home-baked biscuits and country "cream sausage" gravy, flavored with fennel and John's seasonings. The Hob Nob held a small lead the entire day of voting over The Harmon. Tournament of Breakfast analysts suspect the nearby D- to M-Streets Sounder construction project may have kept voters out of the Harmon camp, preferring the peaceful scenery of the popular Wright Park. Then again, those same analysts typically are shoved out of the Harmon after last call. Either way, the voters have chosen, and the Hob Nob moves into the second round to take on Masa March 26.

Let's take a look at the stack. The following are advancing to the next round:

• Shakabrah Java
  
• C.I. Shenanigans
  
• Masa
  
• Hob Nob Restaurant and Lounge
  

The daily breakfast battles here on Spew are sponsored by Shakabrah Java on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

OK, let's check out today's First Round breakfast battles. Vote for one breakfast joint per battle. Voting for today's breakfast battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

>>> VOTING CLOSED FOR MARCH 21 <<<

Sixty-four South Sound breakfast joints were selected and seeded by readers throughout February for the Tournament of Breakfast, which is now seven days into the competition. Brackets don refrigerators, break rooms, restaurant hallways and birdcages. Morning business meetings have been moved to restaurants. Everyone is discussing syrup flavors and waffle thickness. It's crazy fun.

Yesterday's Tournament of Breakfast Results

Here were the match-ups:

Spar Cafe (Olympia) vs. Bread Peddler (Olympia)

Ben Moore's Cafe (Olympia) vs. New Moon Cafe (Olympia) 

Cicada Restaurant (Olympia) vs. Shipwreck Cafe (Olympia)

Darby's Cafe (Olympia) vs. Quality Burrito (Olympia)

Yesterday, we predicted the Spar Café would give the bread Peddler an early run for its money, which it did. The McMenamin brothers venture exploded with an early lead. However, the Peddler, with its yummy baked goods and freakin' delicious quiche, came on strong around dinnertime. In the end, the Spar Cafe squeaked out the win by a three-vote margin. The game will no doubt be the talk on Fourth Avenue corners today.

The opposite of the above game, Ben Moore's Café and the New Moon Café were neck and neck throughout the morning and afternoon. Then, as if Edward Cullen and his pals swooped in after dark to terrorize Ben Moore's, the New Moon went on an incredible terror and grabbed an amazing 70 percent of the votes. Could it be black magic, or the Moon's fried egg sandwich? Doesn't matter now. The New Moon Café enters the second round to battle the Spar Café March 23.

Cicada is fine and dandy, even after the ownership change. Commenter jjtandcompany says the Crabcake Benedict is to die for. Commenter Roger says Cicada's staff is friendly and treats the customer right. And the Tournament of Breakfast voters say Cicada is worth sending to the second round by awarding the Northwest restaurant with Southern accents 60 percent of the votes over the Shipwreck Cafe.

Every city has a restaurant that reflects the people, the culture, the reality of the place - not the town you see in a tourism brochure, but the town that folks actually live, work and eat in. Olympia has Darby's Café. Darby's represents the city of Olympia to the tea (15 versions).  Funky, liberal, friendly, and laid-back, it's all about serving quality food in the Man's front yard. While elected officials and developers argue about waterfront condos, folks can enjoy the democratic principles of fairness, whole foods, open-toed sandals, and an odd assortment of Wizard of Oz paraphernalia in this tiny joint. And Olympia returned the favor by awarding Darby's with 70 percent of the votes over Quality Burrito, and a ticket to the next round.

Let's take a look at the stack. The following are advancing to the next round:

• McMenamin's Spar Cafe
  
• New Moon Cafe
  
• Cicada Restaurant
  
• Darby's Cafe
  

The daily breakfast battles here on Spew are sponsored by Shakabrah Java on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

OK, let's check out today's First Round breakfast battles. Vote for one breakfast joint per battle. Voting for today's breakfast battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

>>> VOTING CLOSED FOR MARCH 18 <<<

Favorites or underdogs, fancy restaurants or dive bars, it's all the same. In the end, they all have one chance to crack an egg that can take the prize.

Yesterday's Tournament of Breakfast Results

Here were the match-ups:

Puget Sound Pizza (Tacoma) vs. The Spar (Tacoma)

The Harvester (Tacoma)vs. The Hub (Tacoma)

A Renaissance Cafe (Tacoma) vs. Bite Restaurant (Tacoma)

Southern Kitchen (Tacoma) vs. Dirty Oscar's Annex (Tacoma)

In the battle of Tacoma favorites, Puget Sound Pizza edged out The Spar with 51.2 percent of the votes. Could the fact The Spar partied it up on St. Patrick's Day affected its focus? Whatever, what's done is done. Puget Sound Pizza moves to the next round. The Spar made it through the Great Depression. It's tough. They'll have breakfast ready for you today as usual.

Flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, eggs, milk, butter: Pancakes sound easy enough, but alas, they're not. We came across two particularly good versions at the Harvester and The Hub. Yesterday, voters agreed with our findings - The Hub won with 50.5 percent of the votes. 50.5 percent! The Harmon conglomerate restaurant now moves on to battle Puget Sound Pizza's stack.

Go local. Yesterday, the little guy, A Renaissance Cafe walked all over the fancy schmancy Hotel Murano and its Bite Restaurant grabbing 69 percent of the votes. A Renaissance Cafe will need to keep limber for its second round opponent. It will be the battle of its life.

Last, Dirty Oscar's Annex on Sixth Avenue put the hurt on Southern Kitchen capturing 65 percent of the votes. It's a given the line outside DOA is all a flutter with the news of the win. We expect many DOA customers will celebrate with a big ol' plate of elk hash.

Let's take a look at the stack. The following are advancing to the next round:

• Puget Sound Pizza
  
• The Hub
  
• A Renaissance Cafe
  
• Dirty Oscar's Annex
  

The daily breakfast battles here on Spew are sponsored by Shakabrah Java on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

OK, let's check out today's First Round breakfast battles. Vote for one breakfast joint per battle. Voting for today's breakfast battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

SPEND YOUR MORNINGS WISELY THIS WEEK >>>

It's March ... meaning Madness is once again in the air. Soon, 64 early risers will tip off and do battle in part of an annual South Sound tradition - working their way through a tediously-constructed bracket and toward ultimate supremacy.

We speak, of course, of the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Breakfast, which kicks off March 15 right here on Spew. This year's Tournament of Breakfast marks the continuation of an epic winning streak that began in 2010 with the Volcano's Tournament of Tacos, and continued in 2011 with the Tournament of Pizza.

This year, the Volcano has the South Sound's best breakfast in its crosshairs, and it's up to readers to decide who walks away the winner.

Through the end of March, and keeping pace with the national excitement on the college basketball courts (though far more tasty), 64 area breakfast joints will compete in the Volcano's 2012 Tournament of Breakfast. These pancake-serving and egg-frying establishments were selected and seeded by readers throughout February, and now the time has come to see who's best. Marcia's Silver Spoon, Shakabrah or Old Milwaukee Cafe in Tacoma? Carrs or Burs? Darby's or the New Moon Cafe down south?

Only one can be crowned king - so vote early, often and DAILY on this blog. Use the bracket inside the print version of the Weekly Volcano to guide you through the matchups.

Then, on April 2, join us at the Meconi's Tacoma Pub & Eatery for the Official Tournament of Breakfast Party - our winner will be announced during halftime of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game.

See you back here Thursday, March 15.

Sponsored by ...