ROCK THE VOTE (OR WHATEVER) >>>

Every odd-number year Tacomans vote to determine which citizens will fill available seats on the Tacoma School Board, City Council, Parks Board, Port Commission and Civil Service Board. Often these campaigns can seem like nothing more than halftime acts between even-year elections, when citizens vote on the flashier county, state and federal positions.

I'll grant you that the even-year election positions have more "clout." However, consider the importance of the Tacoma School Board over these past few weeks during the turbulent negotiations with teachers. Consider the influence the Tacoma City Council has on our lives as they wield the city's budget and prepare to hire a new city manager. I don't mean to be preachy, only to remind readers these elections are important.

The field of candidates this year is quite strong. But the fundamental differences between the competing candidates aren't likely to be revealed in the voters' pamphlet. In even-year races, campaigns - largely due to contributing statewide special interest groups - have the financial means to deliver a great deal of information right to your doorstep (your mailbox, actually). But odd-year campaigns don't have large budgets. To truly glean information about these candidates you'll likely have to make more of an effort than you do in even-year elections. In my opinion the best way to truly get a read on the field and determine which candidate is right for you is to attend a candidate forum.

It just so happens there are a few candidate forums coming up in the next month (there was one last night, for instance, at Shakabrah Java). I encourage you to attend, especially if you're unfamiliar with the field. Don't underestimate the importance of these elections, and please understand that while many of these candidates don't have the means to reach out to you, they are eager to be heard.

Upcoming Candidate Forums

Oct. 10: North End City Council, School Board, Metro Parks Board candidates at the University of Puget Sound at 6 p.m.

Oct. 13: City Council Candidates at Carwein Auditorium (UWT) at 7 p.m.

Oct. 19: City Council, School Board, Metro Parks Board Candidates at Moore Library at 6 p.m.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Stop Sitting In Them While Waiting For The Bus: Tacoma City Councilman Ryan Mello wants to reduce the blight caused by shopping carts dumped in neighborhoods. (News Tribune). The Central Neighborhood Council agrees. (Weekly Volcano)

Trending: Senators blame the Tea Party for budget stalemate. (CNN)

Check It: Anne Hathaway in her Catwoman costume. (Ain't It Cool News)

Old Man Of The Sea: Aquaman turns 70. (Comic Mix)

They're Still Alive!: Review of Cameron Crowe's Pearl Jam Twenty. (Slate)

Wild Flag: Making chaos useful. (NPR)

Saturday Night Live 37th Season Premiere: The best and the worst. (Flavorwire)

Awkward People: Their five worst fears. (Cracked)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Strike This: Although pissed the Tacoma School District teachers didn't return to work, Superior Court Judge Bryan Chushcoff didn't throw down the hammer. (News Tribune)

HUD Bud: Almost $2 million in federal housing money is headed for Hilltop Tacoma's community center. (News Tribune)

Video: A pilot lost control of his vintage plane during an air race over the skies of Reno and slams into box seats. (CNN)

Stirring Some Shit: Seventy-four year old Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called the German Chancellor Angela Merkel an "unfuckable lard-arse." (The Independent)

We Wonder If They Called Erica Albright A Bitch: Meet some Stanford genius hackers and code writers. (New York Magazine)

Let's Look At Art: The 30 Best Pop Culture Google Doodles. (Flavorwire)

Wipeout: Too sexy for his shorts. (Dumb As A Blog)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Why The Neighbor Kids Are Still Running Through Your Sprinklers: Tacoma teachers are on strike. (News Tribune)

Moratorium Schmoratorium: Wal-Mart may hit the Elks property anyway. (News Tribune)

Make It Stop: The fifth GOP debate rolls on. (CNN)

How Big Is The Internet?: Group aims to find out if it's bigger than a bread basket. (Tech Flash)

We Finally Get The Chance To Colonize!: Scientists have discovered an earth-like planet 36 light years away. (Washington Post)

Finally Proof!: Nicolas Cage is a time traveler. (Buzz Feed)

She Should Have Stopped At 64,999: Dutch woman charged with stalking after calling her ex-boyfriend 65,000 times (AP News)

They Felt The Need ... The Need For 3-D: Top Gun is being converted into 3-D. (Hollywood Reporter)

Give this woman a Grammy!

IT HAPPENED IN AND AROUND TACOMA THIS WEEK >>>

It was a whirlwind week in the greater Tacoma area. In his column this week, Weekly Volcano scribe Zach Powers discusses the Tacoma School Distric battle, the Medical Marijuana Task Force roster, the medical pot moratorium public hearing, the latest from the Dale Washam Recall Army camp and the Wal-Mart drama.

To read Powers column, click here.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

It's Go Time: The three-years contact between the Tacoma School District and its more than 2,000 teachers expires today. (News Tribune)

Buying Some Time: Tacoma City Council throws down a temporary ban on big-box stores based on public fear that the Tacoma Elks Club property could fill with shopping carts. (News Tribune)

That Takes Some Choot-spa: Rick Perry says he's thumbing through Charles Stanley's Turning the Tide. (Mother Jones)

No Floats For You!: GOP politicians banned from Wisconsin Labor Day parade. (Chicago Tribune)

We're Doomed: Climate change makes people batshit crazy. (Sidney Morning Herald)

Charlie Sheen: Comedy Central has released promo videos for his roast. (Comedy Central)

Happy Birthday: Goose and Maverick turn 25. (New York Post)

Dream Big: Like, boobies the size of basketballs big. (Dumb As A Blog)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Washam 86'd: Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Dale Washam has been barred from the county auditor's office. (News Tribune)

Now You're Good to Go: New Tacoma Narrows bridge toll gizmos installed. (News Tribune)

Tacoma Candy Bar Caper: He was just on a walk-about. Geez. (Seattle Times)

Hurricane Irene: Let's look at some waves (CNN)

Toasted Beatles: The Fab 5 created with toast (Food Diggity)

The Nirvana Show: Jon Stewart will chat with Krist and Dave. (USA TODAY)

N.W.O.: Ministry getting back together (Brooklyn Vegan - of course)

Selling Beef: Wahlberg bros. show their buns (Huffingtonpost)

LINK: Download the free South Sound Happy Hour Mobile App

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Citizens Panel On Tax Exemptions: State pulp-and-paper companies, large banks and other interest groups are nervous. (News Tribune)

Hilltop Tacoma: Hanging out at Spaceworks Tacoma's one-year anniversary party. (Spaceworks Tacoma)

Battle For Tripoli: Libyan rebels are on the outskirts of the capital. (CNN)

Into The Heart: Bono was treated for chest pains and heart palpitations last week. (Rolling Stone)

Trick Or Treat?: The Lou Reed/Metallica collaboration will be released on Halloween. (Dangerous Minds)

List: The 10 best indie rock supergroups. (Flavor Wire)

Twitter: Yoko Ono is plum crazy. (Cracked)

IT HAPPENED IN AND AROUND TACOMA THIS WEEK >>>

After months of debate, feet dragging and indecision the Tacoma City Council took action Tuesday evening, passing an ordinance requiring the hasty removal of roughly 190 Clear Channel billboards.

An army of volunteers has spanned the county, soliciting signatures and testifying to Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer Dale Washam's missteps.

27^th Legislative District Representative Jeannie Darneille announced this week she will attempt a move to the state Senate.

To read the full column by Zach Powers, click here.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Scumbag Alert: Washington State Patrol released a sketch of a man suspected of shooting and injuring two teenagers during a road-rage incident earlier this week on state Route 167. (News Tribune)

Ban Like An Egyptian: British Prime Minister David Cameron may censor social networking sites due to their use in organizing the recent riots. (CNN)

Pissing Away Your Dreams: Drunk 18-year-old Robert "Sandy" Vietz peed on a bratty 11-year-old girl on a JetBlue flight yesterday. Vietze was on the U.S. Ski Team with hopes of attending the 2014 Winter Games in Russia. (NY Post)

Bad News?: Rudi Stein is running for Congress. (Huffington Post)

Tender Love Is Blind: Neko Case covers "Islands in the Stream." (YouTube)

Ho Ho Oh No!: Harold & Kumar deck the halls