WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Not even kidding here, folks. Today is National Hairball Awareness Day. Did you know that it's not just cats that get hairballs? Your pet goat also gets them. So do kids who complusively eat hair. Bezoars, as they were called, used to be cherished, and would be set with jewelry. They can also be made of nondigestible food, like celery (celery?!?) or gum (don't swallow gum!).

Today in queer wildlife news

Emerson died on this day in 1882. 

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continues to grow and expand.

Dude robs a Nebraska convenience store with his head wrapped in toilet paper.

Daily Star Pulled From Airports Over Volcano Ash Splash

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

The first Earth Day was 40 years ago today.

The U.S. Treasury used its YouTubez to unveil a new $100 bill.

Sarah Palin's Christian nation.

Kate Gosselin creeps us out.

SWANKY FARMERS >>>

Aperitivo is the adored Milanese practice of pre-dinner drinks accompanied by complimentary "stuzzichini," or appetizers. Derived from the Latin "aperitivus," or, "to open," aperitivo is meant to open the appetite and tease the taste buds, previewing the delights of dinner.

The Mark in Olympia will host an Americanized version of the Aperitivo Thursday, April 22. The Mark will follow the Italian tradition of beginning at 6 and ending at 9 p.m. However, it will discount its hand-crafted cocktails, which the Italians typically don't do. Also, DJ Sweet Elite will spin downtempo funky music as guest mingle ... with local farmers.

Yes, as part of The Mark's Aperitivo, representatives from Bremerton Mountain Farm, Garden Raised Urban Bounty, Stokesberry Sustainable's, Back Sheep Creamery, Kirsop Farm, Left Foot Organics and Boisfort Valley Farm will be in the house discussing their CSAs, farmers markets, and new products.

Drinks, downtempo and farmers - should be epic.

[The Mark, Thursday, April 22, 6-9 p.m., 407 Columbia St. SW, Olympia, RSVP at 260.754.4414]

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

President Obama opens offshore areas of Virginia for oil drilling.

The post office is moving to end mail delivery on Saturday. What does that mean for Netfix?

Shirley Mae Jones, who played Shirley Renfrew Partridge on The Partridge Family (1970-74), turns 76 today. Happy birthday Shirley!

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

It's Sarah Jessica Parker's birthday! Square Pegs!

How Republicans learned to stop worrying and love climate change denial.

US Marines find themselves in a difficult situation: If they destroy opium crop fields, they may very well likely lose the support of Afghanis. Awkward.

Check out this parody of music biopics about parody king Weird Al Yankovic.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

First Lady tells food giants to stop making junk and marketing junk to kids.

The United States is not thrilled with the maker of Captain Morgan rum and its plan to relocate the production from Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands.

Real Irish shamrocks in short supply this year.

Obama's Final Four picks are in: Kansas State, Kentucky, Kansas, and Villanova.

Are you ready to recycle your sandwich bags?

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3, 2010 >>>

1. The IHAF (Intermittent Health And Fitness) Club is a maniac. It hosts a '80s Exercise Video Night at 7 p.m. inside King's Books. Bring a VHS tape and Legwarmers ‘cause it's going to be mondo.

2. Washington state Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark will discuss "The Future of our Public Lands" during the City Club of Tacoma meeting at 6:30 p.m. inside the Wheelock Student Center at UPS.

5. The 1940s big band theatrical swing dance revue In The Mood hits the Washington Center's stage at 7:30 p.m.

3. The Tallhouse Arts Consortium Aerialist Acrobatics Show hangs at The Brotherhood Lounge beginning at 8 p.m.

4. True Margrit will perform music off its latest album, The Juggler's Progress, at 9 p.m. inside the Cedarwood Dome in Milton.

LINK: Search for more events happening today

WEEKLY VOLCANO: GREEN NEWS AND EVENTS >>>

Root of a problem
A number of trees below the main picnic area in Point Defiance Park are suffering from root system damage resulting from landslides and continuing soil erosion caused by severe winter storms last January. The unstable trees have been evaluated and marked by the park district’s urban forester and will be taken down by a contracted tree care company today.
 
Tree work will begin at the corner where the Washington State Ferry roadway intersects with Anthony’s parking lot, where a small number of the trees are scheduled for removal.

The majority of the trees, approximately 120, average between 3-8 inches thick and are located above the promenade, north of the Point Defiance Marina. Some of the wood will be left on site to help block pedestrians from accessing unsafe areas, the majority will be taken away by the contractor. This work is anticipated to begin Thursday, Sept. 24 or Friday Sept. 25. Staff currently anticipates that the promenade may be able to re-open outside of contractor work hours, which are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Following the tree removal, work will be done to help stabilize the slope above the ferry landing area and the Five Mile Drive washout near the Rhododendron Garden. The slope stabilization work is anticipated to begin Monday Sept. 28, along with restoration of the Five Mile Drive washout.
 
Green Links Dump
Eco Gadgets: KILLA debuts vintage series bags with solar harnessing capability.

Eco Tech: Oregon brewery develops a pedal-powered mobile beer bar. Nice!

Save A Postal Worker: The Smarter Wallet examines the pros and cons of using email.

Oceans Are Filling With Plastic: Fake Plastic Fish is pissed.

The 15 Best Companies For The Environment: includes Starbucks