HELP US FIND THE SEXIEST PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Once again, the Weekly 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. The great thing about the Volcano's annual Sexy Issue, if we do say so ourselves, is how it manages to prove, year after year, that you don't have to be on a Kia Super Bowl ad to be smoking hot. Our annual Sexy 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 when taking us on test drives, trimming our meat or brewing our beer. These folks can be just as hot - and a hell of a lot more accessible, theoretically - as anyone you typically see on TV and in magazines. 

This year, we are asking you to nominate the person who makes you all hot and bothered in the following categories: Actor/Actress, Artist, Brewer, Karaoke Host, Lead singer, Lawyer, Butcher, Car Salesperson, Blogger and Personal Trainer.

On Thursday, June 7, the Weekly Volcano will publish The Sexy Issue, immortalizing the sexy, chosen few forever.

Help us find them.

Voting ends May 11 at 5 p.m. - so help the Weekly Volcano find the South Sound's hottest citizens. Vote today!

Vote for the South Sound's sexiest people

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Washington State Lawmakers: Gov. Chris Gregoire and top lawmakers do not have a deal to close a roughly half-billion-dollar shortfall for the two-year budget cycle ending June 2013. Senate Republicans will not take up the budget until lawmakers approve a series of policy changes in state government. (News Tribune)

Gig Harbor Principal vs. Pesky Car: Ted Strong pleads not guilty to DUI, stating his car was acting aggressively, which caused him to rear-end another car. (News Tribune)

Behind The Fred Meyer Door: A woman is suing Fred Meyer claiming she was the victim of a videotaped sexual assault, racial discrimination, and "extremely vulgar and sexual comments" while employed at a warehouse in Fife. (Daily Weekly)

Tulsa Shooting Suspects Are No Longer Suspects: They confessed. (CNN)

Buffet Rule: President Obama will push his proposal to ensure the wealthiest Americans pay at least 30 percent of their income in federal taxes. (The New York Times)

Fish From Hell: It's terrorizing Maryland. (Time)

IKEA To Build Entire Neighborhood: Wouldn't want to put that together. (Neatorama)

Hell Yes We Found This: Greatest breakup songs of the 1980s. (Nerve)

The Hipster Games: Hunger Games video spoof goes viral. (Yahoo)

Hot Dog Stuffed Pizza Crust: f you're anything like us, you're equal parts appalled and intrigued. (grist)

Beatniks!

LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Art House Designs Olympia - Eastside. Hardcoretet, Silo. All Ages. 8 pm. $10.

Backstage Bar and Grill Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Mantra tribute to Santana. 9 pm.

Forza Wine Bar Gig Harbor. Kim Archer. 7 pm.

Harmon Tap Room Tacoma - Stadium District. Bodybox, Jupiter Order, Resdeus. 9 pm.

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Eddie Spaghetti, Stone Evergreen Travellers, Swampy Draws. 9:30 pm. $6-$8.

• Campy, sarcastic, and sleazy, the Supersuckers were atypical to the mid-1990s grunge movement as they sported cowboy hats and offered up a mix of rockabilly flavored garage rock. With sex, drugs and Satan as their mantras, the band's lyrics were an uproarious celebration of all of the wickedness habitually associated with rock ‘n' roll - namely sex, drugs, Satan and any other offensive topic they could muster up. Motorhead's Lemmy once said, "If you don't like the Supersuckers, you don't like rock & roll." It's safe to say the same applies to Eddie Spaghetti, who, when not leading the Seattle-based rawkers, unleashes solo material for those tired of passionate unplugged anthems for the masses. — Weekly Volcano
  

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Spazmatics. 9 pm. $10.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Reset/Go. All Ages. 8 pm.

Midnight Sun Olympia - Downtown. Margy Pepper, Grass Window, Deep Time. All Ages. 8 pm. $6.

• Margy Pepper are one of the most adorable slash awesome slash rocking slash slash bands out there. If you like your punk with a sense of humor and maybe a little bit too much of an obsession with kitty cats, Margy Pepper is for you. The band's music is imbued with a carefree exuberance that is unfortunately missing in much of the music that comes through these parts. But Margy Pepper comes from Olympia - a fact that should be easily identifiable when confronted with their brazen confrontation of the seriousness usually laid upon the idea of DIY punk.  Add onto their musical prowess its affection for stories of childhood embarrassments and triumphs, and you have a band that never ceases to delight. I saw them over a year ago, and Margy Pepper still brings a smile to my face. - Rev. Adam McKinney

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Squeak and Squawk Music festival Dance Party featuring Paris Spleen, I Will Keep Your Ghost, Saucy Yoda. 9 pm. $5-$7.

The Space Tacoma - Triangle District. Squeak and Squawk Music Festival featuring Makeup Monsters, Tea Cozies, Bandolier, Watermelon Sugar. All Ages. 6 pm. $4-$7.

• Sure, the Mayans had a lot to say about 2012, but one thing they forgot to mention was that it would reckon the return of Tacoma's Squeak and Squawk Music Festival, running through April 9. When Squeak and Squawk originator Sean Alexander left Tacoma for New York, this third installment went through a spin-the-bottle style search for the right person to helm the ship, landing on Jena Stedtler, who was soon joined by the Weekly Volcano's own Rev. Adam McKinney. Read Jenni Prange Boran's full feature on the Squeak and Squawk Music Festival in the Music section at weeklyvolcano.com.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. Tumblin' Dice (Rolling Stones tribute). 8 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Ghost 211. 9 pm. NC.

Swing Wine Bar & Cafe Olympia - Westside. Vince Brown & Michael Gray. 9 pm. NC.

Traditions Cafe and World Folk Art Olympia - Downtown. The Makedonians. All Ages. 8 pm. $8-$12.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Event Horizon, Inside The Gates, Unhailoed. 9 pm.

Uncle Thurm's Finger Lickin' Chicken Tacoma - Lincoln District. Kareem Kandi trio. All Ages. 8 pm. NC.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

HURRY! >>>

If cooking for Easter isn't your thing (and let's face, it, who wants to do all those dishes), there are plenty of great Easter brunch options in the South Sound.

Stanley and Seafort's (115 E. 34th St., Tacoma) has a special brunch menu featuring a breakfast Wellington, smoked salmon Benedict, prime rib and scrambled eggs, special cocktails and more from 9 a.m. Call for reservations 253.473.7300. 

Primo Grill (601 S. Pine St. #102, Tacoma) will be featuring eggs Benedict, a smoked salmon frittata, crab cakes, shrimp cocktail and more. Call for reservations 253.383.7000.

Asado (2810 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) has a special Easter brunch planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call for reservations 253.272.7770.

Windmill Bistro (16009 60th St. E., Sumner) will have crab cake Benedict, green eggs and ham, French toast, steak and eggs and more from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call for reservations 253.826.7897.

The Heritage Restaurant at the Inn at Gig Harbor (3211 56th St. NW, Gig Harbor) will have a plated Easter brunch, with maple glazed ham, lobster crab cakes Benedict, cinnamon French toast, roasted wild sockeye salmon and more. Call for reservations 253.858.1111.

Adriatic Grill (4201 S. Steele St., Tacoma) will be having a special "lunch brunch menu" from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and then dinner specials after 4 p.m.  Call for reservations 253.475.6000.

Pacific Grill (1502 Pacific Ave., Tacoma) has a special buffet featuring prime rib, glazed ham, French toast, special desserts and more. Call for reservations 253.627.3535.

Anthony's Hearthfire Grill (1675 Marine Dr. NE, Olympia) has brunch specials such as a Hearthfire breakfast scramble, French toast, quiche and Snake River Farms steak and eggs. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call for reservations 360.705.3473.

Lobster Shop at Dash Point (6912 Soundview Dr. NE, Tacoma) has a special buffet all day, featuring prime rib, ham, Dungeness crab legs, shrimp, oysters and more. Call for reservations 253. 759.2165.

Green.House (4793 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW, Gig Harbor) will be featuring a special breakfast menu with their lunch menu, including eggs Benedict, a Western and Denver omelet, buttermilk pancakes, cinnamon French toast and more. Call for reservations 253.514.6482.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

>>> VOTING CLOSED FOR MARCH 15 <<<

Two years ago, the Weekly Volcano challenged 64 taco slingers to enter tournament-style culinary combat, shell versus shell, with Moctezuma's crowned best taco. Last year, pizza took center-stage in our quest for gustatory greatness, with Katie Downs pie reigning supreme. This year, the tradition continues.

It's breakfast time, baby!

Beginning today, 64 well-buttered competitors (for the most part) will tip off and do battle - working their way through the tediously constructed bracket and toward ultimate supremacy.

We speak, of course, of the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Breakfast, which kicks off this morning right here on Spew. Sixty-four area breakfast joints were selected and seeded by readers throughout February, and now the time has come to see who's best. Only one can be crowned king - so vote early, and DAILY here on Spew. Use the bracket attached to his post to guide you through the daily matchups.

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

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.

DRINK IT UP >>>

Simple South Sound beer math: Spring is typically cool around here and alcohol makes you warm, so by way of booze logic, the Gig Harbor Beer festival this spring is equivalent to the warmest snuggle-buddy in all the land!

The Gig Harbor Beer Festival today announced their final brewer list for the upcoming event. This inaugural spring beer-tasting event will be held May 12 at the Gig Harbor Uptown Pavilion and will feature 10 craft brewers:

• American Brewing Co., Edmonds
• Der Blokken Brewery, Bremerton
• Dicks Brewing Co., Centralia
• Everybody's Brewing, White Salmon
• Harmon Brewing Co., Tacoma
• Hood Canal Brewery, Kingston
• Pt. Townsend Brewing Co., Pt. Townsend
• Silver City Brewery, Bremerton
• Sound Brewing Co., Poulsbo
• Valholl Brewing Co., Poulsbo

Let's read a press release:

"I could not be more pleased with the list of participating brewers. They all bring unique beers to the table and an enormous passion for brewing ," said festival organizer, John Fosberg. "The festival will offer event goers a memorable and diverse group of craft beers to choose from."?Mr. Fosberg continued by saying, "The brewer list filled up fast - many of the brewers mentioned having a loyal customer base in Gig Harbor. Once brewer names starting showing up on the event's website and Facebook page, advance tickets started selling at a brisk pace. I would encourage everyone to purchase their tickets before hand. I can't imagine this event not selling out, and I would hate to turn anyone away at the gate."

Advance tickets are $20 (you save $5), and are available online by visiting the Festival's website at http://www.gigharborbeerfestival.com, or at http://www.brownpapertickets.com. Your ticket admission includes a 2012 commemorative taster cup and eight taster tokens. You may also purchase tickets the day of the event for $25. Additional taster tokens will be on sale during the day of the Festival.??Festival organizers will also be giving away a limited number of free VIP tickets to the festival in a series of online raffles through the Festival's Facebook page. Simply visit the Gig Harbor Beer Festival's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/gigharborbeerfestival, "Like" the page, and you qualify.??The Gig Harbor Beer Festival benefits the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. To learn more about this non-profit organization, please visit http://www.gigharborfoundation.org.

Blazing Onion Burger Company is the Major Sponsor for the event. Other sponsors include Uptown Gig Harbor, The Peninsula Gateway, DPI Print, The INN at Gig Harbor, Tides Tavern, and Cascade Print Media, Disidual Clothing LLC, with additional support from the City of Gig Harbor.??For more information, contact John Fosberg at (253) 853-2728, or contact@gigharborbeerfestival.com.

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 ...

HEART DAY, FEB. 14, 2012 >>>

1. Cattle-prodding the oyster ditch with the lap rocket. Cannonballing the fiddlecove with a park steeple. Pulling the station wagon into the old creaky garage. No matter what clever name you have for it, sexual reproduction typically requires the involvement of two individuals or gametes, one each from opposite type of sex - although asexual reproduction, an individual can reproduce without involvement with another individual of that species. Oh, it's so confusing. At 6:30 p.m., University of Puget Sound biology professor Peter Wimberger will step in front of the Tacoma Science Café crowd at The Swiss and discuss the reproductive behavior of sea creatures. No word if Wimberger will show his anemone or flatworm. What?

2. Yes, the Museum of Glass Store is open today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Yes, the store has all jewelry marked 20 percent off. And yes, you should be panicky if this is an issue for you.

3. According to the press release, Jilly Eddy - appearing at Morso from 6-9 p.m. as part of the wine bar's slew of Valentine's-related specials - is the world's leading expert in lip reading. In fact, Eddy is billed as a Lipsology Expert, which sounds pretty darn official. But we're not talking about deciphering the f-bombs dropped by coaches on the sidelines during the Super Bowl here. Rather, we're talking about reading and interpreting - quite literally - what peoples' lips say about their personalities.

4. Maybe you like your songs of romance to be sacred in nature? Perhaps you prefer them secular? Either way, according to the press release, the Canonici Vocal Quartet will have you covered on Valentines when the group busts out a collection of Renaissance love songs in English, French and Italian as part of the Classical Tuesdays in Old Town performance series, which begins at 7 p.m. inside the Old Town Slavonian Hall. Completely free - meaning you'll have more to spend on ridiculously priced flowers or stale chocolates - the Canonici Vocal Quartet's presentation of Plaisir d' Amour: The Pleasure of Love seems likely to seal at least a few deals this Valentine's Day.

5. Comedian Kermit Apio headlines a Valentine's Day "Clean Comedy Show" at 8 p.m. inside the Tacoma Comedy Club. The show benefits the House Of Matthews.

PLUS: Sweet & Spicy: A Valentine's Day Burlesques at the Pantages Theater

PLUS: Daniel Blue and Kurt Lindsay at Metronome Coffee

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

LINK: South Sound happy hours

LOVE COVERED IN CHOCOLATE >>>

Label me a sentimental fool, but I confess up front to having an affinity for St. Valentine's Day that is hopelessly and helplessly romantic.  Sure it's become a "Hallmark Holiday," but it's also a time of year when the imagination is the limit to the range of seductive attire, playthings and, of course, food available to woo your loved one. If M.F.K. Fisher is correct - and she always is - "gastronomy is and always has been connected with its sister art of love."

Dining with a loved one on Valentine's Day requires keen attention to the lust factor.  Pot roast just isn't going to get the job done; you've got to dine with flair!

Of course, this can mean a number of things, from splurging at a fancy restaurant to a mountain outing with a backpack full of pate, nuts, fruit, cheese and a good bottle of vino.  If you are cooking your way into someone's heart this Valentine's Day, you may as well throw out the calorie counters.  It's best, on this special day, to err on the side of decadence.  Sensual foodstuffs like asparagus and mangos (eaten sans utensils, of course) or oysters, are always good bets to get Cupid's arrows quivering.

Chocolate also does the trick.

You could say that eating chocolate on Valentine's Day is a twofer: bringing health and happiness to your heart. Every confectioner and pastry chef in the South Sound gets chocolate-covered for Valentine's Day. There's the four large chocolate dipped strawberries, trio of chocolate soufflé, cherry crème brulée, passion sorbet and assorted hand painted chocolates at Bite inside the Hotel Murano. Babblin' Babs Bistro will serve Irish cream chocolate dipped shortbread and berries featuring buttery rich shortbread cookies passed down from several generations of Sawyer family (Babs). Profiteroles with chocolate ganache are on the Valentine's menu at Morso Wine Bar.

Also, Weekly Volcano foodie Jennifer Johnson presents a list of local delicious treats here.

For the ultimate chocolate hit, I'm urging you to slide over to Affairs Chocolate & Desserts for their annual Valentine Dessert Buffet, which will be offered twice - 2-4 p.m. Sunday and 5-7 p.m. Valentine's Day.  According to owner Gay Landry, a gaggle of customers gorge every year.

Landry does the café in romantic old linens and candles.  Customers pick from an alluring array of bite-sized desserts: mousses, chocolate-dipped strawberries, cakes, tortes, cookies and of course, Affairs' indescribably luscious, rich truffles.  Located on Bridgeport Way West in University Place, reserve your spot at 253.565.8604.

More than 40 of the fabulous Proctor businesses will offer treats and/or discounts on chocolate items today through Saturday as part of the Proctor Chocolate Festival today. Participants may pick up a Proctor Chocolate Festival Passport at Metropolitan Market, Giardini Gift, Knapps or Safeway, then collect "codes" from each business.  Passports with a minimum of 80 percent number codes completed can be dropped off at the mentioned businesses to be entered in the drawing for prize baskets. If you stop by US Bank today, and sit down to chat with a rep, you'll score a big ass Hershey chocolate bar. Also, Envy clothing store is serving hot chocolate.

Evade the couple at the next table from leaning into your sweet nothings by skipping the hoopla and head for the cellars. The South Sound Wine Trail stretches through Lacey, Olympia and Shelton and includes seven award-winning wineries. For the next two weekends, the wineries present Red, Wine & Chocolate, a passport game where for $20 you may taste their wine while nibbling on chocolate. Complete your passport and turn it in at your final tasting to be entered in a drawing for a weekend getaway.

Speaking of drinks, the Ale House Sports Pub and Grille offers several desserts in a fancy glass. On Valentine's Day, the University Place gathering sport will serve chocolate-covered cherry martinis, devil's food chocolate martinis, raspberry white chocolate martinis and Southern Tier Imperial Choklat Stout on tap.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Today In Scumbags: Josh Powell set fire that killed him and his two sons at Graham-area home. (News Tribune)

Olympic Pharmacy and Healthcare Services: The Gig Harbor pharmacy is being sued for incorrect dosages. (News Tribune)

U.S. loses Embassy in Syria: Intense blasts echo through the Syrian city of Homs after a weekend bloodbath ended in hundreds of deaths, activists say. (CNN)

New York Will Go Nuts: Super Bowl champs New York Giants will receive a giant parade. (CNN)

US And Israel: Working together to prevent Iran from going nuclear. (BBC)

Super Bowl Ad Metter: Doritos wins. (USA Today)

Madonna's Half-time Show: See it again. (YouTube)

Shown Only In Nebraska: Will Ferrell's Super Bowl ad. (New York Magazine)

Love At The Bottom Of The Sea: The Magnetic Fields release new video. (Out)

Famous Authors Chime In: The greatest books of all time. (The Atlantic)

Soul Train Flash Mob Tribute To Don Cornelius