WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Here's how South Sound lawmakers voted on the health care proposal.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, after calling for Internet censorship in his country, says he is "pro-Internet" and will begin blogging from the presidential palace.

Similar to our Tournament of Tacos only with beer

Did the CIA dose a French village with LSD?

Chinese sandstorm strikes like dragon.

DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING >>>

As you may have clued into by this point, every Friday the Weekly Volcano posts Owen Taylor's "El Vacio Moral" column - a weekly legislative update from Olympia. It's become a regular, bizarre feature - and we really like it. Personally, seeing what Owen's addled mind comes up with every Friday is often the highlight of my week (I'm a sad, sad man).

Unfortunately, though - as we should have anticpated from the beginning - the threat of a special session in Olympia has sent Owen into a downward spiral of intoxication and strange entertainment choices. He emailed me this morning to promise his usual El Vacio Moral column will be ready to go Monday morning - promising a "Epicc wrap-up million miles from Graceleand coup de tat stilo..." Whatever that means.

Anyway, look for your usually scheduled El Vacio Moral Monday morning on weeklyvolcano.com. Until then, here's an excerpt from Taylor's crytpic email to tide you over.

"I am absolutely drained, giddy, melancholy as hell (or he'll, whatever the iPhone will have you believe), and before I drag you or any of our pristine readership down into this pit electroshock-treatment qualifying madness, I am demanding a special session on my own sanity! Monday! I'm high watching Akira! Don't bring them into this!!!"

WHAT WE FOUND TODAY >>>

40 computer display home office or secret missile launch center?

Breaking down the dysfunction: It's budget time in Olympia.

"It sucks," says an Internet movie critic, using the most common aesthetic reaction on the Web. Goodbye to smart film criticism.

Want to save Pierce County bus service? Buy a brownie.

Prudential Insurance of Britain announced that it will buy American International Group's life insurance company for an estimated $35.5 billon. Also, fuck you, AIG.

Dale Welch recently walked into a Starbucks in Virginia, handgun strapped to his waist, and ordered a banana Frappuccino with a cinnamon bun. Advocates for openly carrying guns have found a new friend in Starbucks as the gun caused no alarm.

Our brains become slower but shrewder with age.

YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED TUESDAY, FEB. 2 >>>

Andy Buelow, executive director of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, posted on the Tacoma Arts listserv an alert of a statewide convening of arts advocates in Olympia. It's important enough to post again.

Appointments have been scheduled with state legislators. All you need to do is show up, get your information packets and be part of a group meeting that discusses arts-related bills and issues that are a part of the legislative session this year.

Plan on attending? Let us know so that you can join one of the groups that will be meeting with representatives and senators from Pierce County. Please click on this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QNQGKJQ to let us know!

Be prepared to share personal stories of the arts impact in your community and the importance of strong arts education in our state schools. Let them know the importance of public funding for your community arts organizations, artists and public art that create jobs and provide vital life balance during challenging economic times. Your presence and our collective advocacy "voice" DO make a difference!

Here is the link to more information including key issues, maps, and parking directions - http://wsaa.qwestoffice.net/arts_day.htm#

Read more...

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THURSDAY, JAN. 21, 2010 >>>

1. Beer enthusiasts from near and far will be gathering for the Varsity Grill's annual Ice Block Party from 5-8 p.m. A $10 pass nabs you winter beer samples from the likes of Red Hook Winterbrook, Alaskan Winter, Deschutes Jubelale, Pyramid Snow Cap, Widmer Brrr, Sam Adams Winter, Snoqualmie Avalanche, Rogue Mogul and New Belgium 2º Below.

2. Grab an early look at Giants in the Mountains: The Search for Sasquatch inside the Washington State History Museum Saturday when they offer a special "sneak peek" of the exhibit at 6:30 p.m. during Third Thursday ArtWalk.

3. Organist Dennis James performs during the screening of the classic silent film Flesh & the Devil at 7 p.m. inside the Washington Center.

4. At 7 p.m. inside King's Books writer and playwright Carla Seaquist will take a break from her gig as a regular Huffington Post blogger to host a discussion about the first 365 days of the Obama Administration.

5. The Plastards perform at 9 p.m. at The Swiss.

MICHAEL SWAN: EMPTY CONDOLENCE >>>

I yanked this off the News Tribune's Political Buzz blog:

MICHAEL SWAN: HAGGARTYS IN THE HOUSE >>>

Initially, Washington officials were saying that as many as 4 to 5 million people might flood the city for Barack Obama's inauguration Tueday, Jan. 20, in Washington, D.C. Even though they have scaled back those figures to between 1.5 to 2 million, Washington is still expecting huge crowds â€" including Tacoman Leonard Haggarty, his brother, Teddy, and another famous Tacoman â€" Justin Peterson (who tends bar at Hell’s Kitchen). The trio will be in Washington, D.C. to see Obama’s inauguration first hand, with help from tickets provided by Congressman Adam Smith’s office â€" a reward of sorts for Haggarty’s hard work and unique story.

Read his story on the Weekly Volcano Web site.

ROXANNE MURPHY: I'M STILL BLUE â€" IN A GOOD WAY >>>

Here's our president-elect, and my Dem blue nails (I had them done yesterday to prepare for last night's election parties). You can check out my report from last night’s Pierce County Democrats party here.

Yes, today I'm very excited, moved and optimistic about the future after last night's events, but I'm also SO glad I don't have to go back to my nail salon today for a color change to red. :) Go Dems, GO!

MICHAEL SWAN: NOV. 4 GENERAL ELECTION >>>

Here are the unofficial results of the General Election according to the Pierce County Auditor’s Web site as of Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 3:05 a.m.:

Pierce County Proposition No. 1
YES     61,042  64.45%
NO     33,665  35.55%

Sound Transit Proposition No. 1
APPROVED     43,549   51.31%
REJECTED     41,319   48.69%

Governor
Christine Gregoire 59,094   54.18%
Dino Rossi     49,535   45.41%

County Executive
Mike Lonergan     14,898   14.66%
Pat McCarthy       29,692   29.22%
Calvin Goings     23,793   23.42%
Shawn Bunney     33,110   32.58%

County Sheriff
Paul A. Pastor     64,952   71.53%
R. P. Kollu           6,887   7.58%
Jesse Hill            18,540   20.42%

For complete results, check out the Pierce County Auditor’s Web site here.

MICHAEL SWAN: WASHINGTON STATE ELECTION RESULTS >>>

Election results for governor and other major statewide offices can be found here. Gregorie currently has the lead.