WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Marriage Equality Act: Not everyone will be happy today. (News Tribune)

GOP Presidential Race Vs. South Sound: Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum will check out the Washington History Museum tonight. (News Tribune)

Skeeter Update: Apparently he didn't know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. (News Tribune)

Sea-Tac Airport: Say goodbye to the 1950s. (Seattle PI)

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Blames Iran after bombers apparently targeted diplomats in India and Georgia, injuring four. (BBC)

Whitney Houston's Death Update: Coroners on Sunday completed an autopsy on Houston, who was found dead Saturday in her suite in the upscale Beverly Hilton hours before she was to attend a pre-Grammy Awards bash at the hotel. (CNN)

Grammy Awards: Whitney remembered, Adele wins big. (CNN)

Saturday Night Live With Zooey Deschanel: The best and worst. (Flavorwire)

Celebrities: Photo gallery showing their real names. (Huffington Post)

No-Holds-Barred Laptop: Origin EON17-X. (Gizmodo)

MONDAY, FEB. 13, 2012 >>>

1. The Graphic Novel Book Club most likely will skip the lure of craft cocktails and delve into 1022 South's wine cellar as it discusses the manga comic The Drops of God: Volume 1, whichtells the story of Shizuku Kanzaki, who works as a beer company sales rep mainly out of a sense of rebellion against his estranged father, legendary wine expert Yutaka Kanzaki. Yup, no monsters, martial arts or effervescent young girls in this Japanese manga tale. Join the Graphic Novel Book Club at 7 p.m. inside the 1022 South for a night of reading right to left.

2. Consider the Danish waffle. It's more of a cookie filled with cream and raspberry jam. Why is called a waffle? And how the hell do you make one? Garfield Book Company will host a Danish waffle demonstration at noon and 5 p.m. in its Fireside Lounge. Don't even get us started on Tasmanian waffles.

3. To celebrate Gov. Gregoire's historic signing into law the Marriage Equality Act, the Pierce County Marriage Equality Leadership Team is hosting a party to "Raise a Glass for Marriage Equality."  Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at King's Books, Tacoma Mayor Strickland, Tacoma Council Member Ryan Mello, State Rep. Laurie Jinkins, Benjii Bittle and the entire PCME Leadership Team will hug it out with the public.

4. Singer Maia Santell will be joined by guitarist Jho Blenis, bassist Tom Austin, drummer Billy Barner and guitarist Jumpin' Josh Violette for an evening of blues at The Swiss beginning at 8 p.m.

Jho Blenis, guitar, Tom Austin, bass, Billy Barner, drums, Jumpin' Josh Violette, guitar for an evening of

5. The Royal Lounge is a haven for jazz heads Monday nights. Tonight at 8 p.m. The Jazz Twigs featuring trumpeter and saxophonist Jay Thomas will fire it up. At 9:30 p.m., the Greta Jane Quartet carry it through the night.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

LINK: South Sound happy hours

CELEBRATING HISTORICAL MOMENTS >>>

Justin D. Leighton, chair of Tacoma's Central Neighborhood Council, passed along Tacoma City Council Member Ryan Mello's announcement of a party Monday night at King's Books to celebrate Gov. Gregoire's signing into law the Marriage Equality Act.  Here's the press release:

Tacoma, WA: On Monday, February 13th, Governor Gregoire will make history by signing into law the Marriage Equality Act making Washington State the 7^th state in addition to the District of Columbia to legalize marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples.  The bill passed through the Legislature on a bipartisan vote in both the House and Senate and is now scheduled for signing by the Governor Monday morning.

"I've waited my entire adult life for this day.  Marriage is more than just a contract.  It's about love, commitment and mutual respect.  As I care for my aging and ill partner of 53 years, the need to protect each other with both the contract and love that marriage brings has become more necessary than ever,"  John McCluskey, local civil rights leader. 

To celebrate this historic moment a group of community leaders, the Pierce County Marriage Equality (PCME) Leadership Team is hosting an event to "Raise a Glass for Marriage Equality".  The event will be held at King's Books on St. Helens Ave. in Tacoma at 5:30pm Monday, February 13^th.  Co-sponsored by King's Books, Galanga Thai, and The Mix as well as co-hosted by Tacoma Mayor Strickland, Tacoma Council Member Ryan Mello, State Rep. Laurie Jinkins, Benjii Bittle and the entire PCME Leadership Team.

"Our local marriage equality leadership team and hundreds of advocates are trained and ready to talk to voters about why protecting all families equally under the law is so important.  First, we celebrate, then we will wake up Tuesday, February 14^th ready to do whatever it takes to ensure all families have equal protections under the law," said Ryan Mello, Tacoma City Council Member. 

Celebratory events like this one in Tacoma are being organized around the state and a statewide toast for Marriage Equality will take place at 6:00pm.

Raising a Glass for Marriage Equality

Monday, Feb. 13, 5:30 p.m.
King's Books in Tacoma
218 St. Helens Avenue, in Tacoma's Stadium District
Food, beverages and activities provided
Legislators from Olympia will be skyped in to participate in the celebration

See ya there!

LINK: Facebook Event

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Appalling: Lakewood police guild treasurer accused of theft cashing in on the deaths of four colleagues and feathering his nest with shiny toys. (News Tribune)

Stay Classy, Westboro Baptist Church: The notoriously anti-gay church plans to picket Saturday's funeral for Charlie and Braden Powell and will be counterprotested by Occupy Seattle. (News Tribune)

Same-Sex Marriage: State House approved a same-sex marriage proposal 55 to 43. (News Tribune)

Mortgage Relief: In the biggest deal to date to fix the housing crisis, officials announced a huge foreclosure settlement with banks. (CNN)

Greece Bailout: Greece agrees to the austerity measures required to gain a new bailout hours before eurozone finance ministers are due to discuss the deal in Brussels. (BBC)

Sonic Fashion: Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon has a new fashion line. (Pitchfork)

Gary Busey: Bankrupt. (Yahoo)

Whoa: Watch the World's Largest Dodgeball Game. (Flavorwire)

Wizard Of Creepy: The 1902 adaptation of The Wizard of Oz looked extremely unsettling. (io9)

If You Have Nothing Else To Do: 25 animals who think they're people. (BuzzFeed)

Are You Ready?

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Gay Marriage: State Senate votes 28-21 to legalize it. (Weekly Volcano)

Occupy Tacoma Camp: The welcome is wearing thin. (News Tribune)

LeMay Car Museum: Paul Miller is the man. (News Tribune)

You Suck Punxsutawney Phil: Rodent predicts six more weeks of winter. (Chicago Tribune)

South Sound Is In A Lesbian Sandwich: The 21 most lesbianish cities in America. (Jezebel)

TV: Showtime has renewed freshman comedy House of Lies and returning series Shameless and Californication for additional seasons. (Hollywood Reporter)

Helpful: How to pronounce things hilariously. (Kottke)

Yo Pudding Head: Cosby hoodie. (Dangerous Minds)

Just In Time For Valentine's Day

THIS JUST IN >>>

Washington United for Marriage just sent word the state Senate approved legislation legalizing same-sex marriage 28-21 on bipartisan vote:

OLYMPIA - Washington United for Marriage, a broad statewide coalition of organizations, congregations, unions and business associations that will work to obtain civil marriage for lesbian and gay couples in Washington State in 2012, today cheered the Washington State Senate's vote in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage legislation in Washington State.  The measure passed by a bipartisan vote of 28-21, with 23 Democrats and four Republicans joining together to advance the bill. 

Read more...

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WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Your House Is Safe: Tacoma City Council accepted $1.6M in concessions to avoid firefighter layoffs. (News Tribune)

It Should Pass: The state Senate will vote today on gay marriage bill. (News Tribune)

Aftermath: Romney on a roll, Gingrich undeterred. (CNN)

Coroner: "Soul Train" founder dead of gunshot wound. (CNN)

Science!: Researchers have demonstrated a striking method to reconstruct words, based on the brain waves of patients thinking of those words. (BBC)

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha: The band Survivor is suing Newt Gingrich for using "Eye of the Tiger" at rallies. (Rolling Stone)

If You Go All Darth Maul On A Toy Store ...: You'll go to jail. (Blastr)

Groovy: Mad Men season 5 fashions. (The Sew Weekly)

Surreal Photos: Taiwan's abandoned UFO-style homes. (Flavorwire)

Let An Educational Palette Of Primary Hues Wash Over You

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Have You Heard About The Weather?: People are still in the dark with more rain and wind coming. (News Tribune)

Tacoma's Pothole Program: There's a partial plan. (News Tribune)

Eye On Olympia: New traffic fine would fund crime victims' services. (Peninsula Daily News)

Gay Marriage Bills: Two public hearings on gay marriage bills are set for today in Olympia. (King 5)

Public Works: $1 billion public-works package that could potentially put 25,000 people to work, many starting in the summer construction season just months away. (The Olympian)

European Union Vs. Iran: EU foreign ministers impose new sanctions on Iran citing Iran's refusal to negotiate over its nuclear program. The sanctions include a ban on the import of Iranian oil. (CNN)

Blackberry: Co-chief executives Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie have stepped down in a shake-up. (BBC)

Special Investigative Committee: Miranda July called before Congress to explain exactly what her whole thing is. (The Onion)

What Are They, Maniacs?: Get ready for Flashdance - The Musical. (EW)

Oh Hell Yes: J Mascis bobblehead. (Pitchfork)

Oh Hell Yes II: Dwight Schrute's 13 Best Moments. (BuzzFeed)

Hello Trivia Nights: The 10 most expensive books in the world. (Flavorpill)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

The Aftermath: Flooding, canceled flights, power outages, dogs and cats living together. (News Tribune)

Legalizing Gay Marriage: Puyallup senator closes the gap to one vote. (Weekly Volcano)

Mount Rainier: It has its grips on two overdue parties. (News Tribune)

South Carolina Debate: Newt Gingrich's fiery response to the first question - seeking comment on claims made by his second wife - set the tone for the night. (CNN)

Megaupload Site: Hackers launch attacks on a variety of US government and copyright enforcement websites after the file-sharing site was closed. (BBC)

The GQ&A: Burt Reynolds is Sterling Archer's spirit guide. (GQ)

Salute To The Kornfield: Surviving cast members salute Hee Haw. (Billboard)

Undersea Photographer: Russian photographer Alexander Semenov nails it. (io9)

You Are Welcome: The many d'ohs of Homer Simpson. (BuzzFeed)

A Lovely Songs About A Dog And A Fish

THIS JUST IN >>>

Two weeks after Gov. Chris Gregoire announced her support for gay marriage legislation - and potentially putting the state on track to become the nation's seventh to fully recognize same-sex unions - State Sen. Jim Kastama announced today he will support gay-marriage legislation. Read the AP report here.

Kastama was one of six undecided senators on marriage equality - and a current candidate for Secretary of State.

The Puyallup Democrat is the 24th announced supporter of same-sex marriage in a Senate where 25 votes make a majority. Although Democrats hold majorities in both our state' chambers, a bill is not certain to pass, as some conservative Democrats have sided with Republicans on the issue.

In the last session, 43 representatives co-sponsored a gay-marriage bill in the House, which never made it out of committee.

Gregoire wants individual religious faiths to make their own decisions about whether or not to perform gay marriages, thus allowing freedom of religion and non-discrimination against marrying homosexual couples to co-exist.

Six U.S. states currently allow same-sex marriage: New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Iowa. Gay marriage is also legal in the District of Columbia.