FRIDAY, SEPT. 9, 2011 >>>

1. As massive as the Puyallup Fair has become, P-Town's long-forgotten small-town identity still runs through it, part of the undeniable charm of the whole thing. But these days, part of the appeal of the Fair also lies in the modern-day, big-time entertainment options it provides. Over the course of its 17 days the Fair will welcome as part of its Concert Series acts like Larry the Cable Guy, the Flaming Lips, Chicago, Counting Crows, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Sammy Hagar and Trace Adkins. Grab a Krusty Pup and get down from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check out today's schedule here.

2. At 7 p.m. the Amocat Café in Tacoma will host a "Special Fond Farewell to Summer and Sarah" featuring musicians John Dolge, Jeremy Bush, Megan Walter, Matthew Jorgensen, Macy Ragasa Craig Carter and others. We have no idea who Sarah is, but EXCITING!

3. Distinguished writers, poets, playwrights, short story writers, and people who scribble on cocktail napkins will step up to the mic from 7-9 p.m. as part of the Distinguished Writer Series and Open Mic at King's Books. Ken Sikes, pastor of Manitou Park Presbyterian Church since 2003, will take lead.

4. The bassoon is the Steve Buscemi of the orchestra - far from glamorous, not a romantic lead, more of a character actor. But it's the workhorse bass of the wind choir and deserves props. Paul Rafanelli, bassoon professor at University of Puget Sound, knows this. In fact, the Prof reveals that in his 14 years at the college he has never played a full bassoon recital for campus audiences. Enough is enough. Rafanelli will open the 2011 Jacobsen Series with his tribute to the bassoon: "Bassoon and Beyond: A Wily Instrument is Featured for a Night" at 7:30 p.m. inside the Schneebeck Concert Hall. Also in the house will be Dan Williams, oboe; Jennifer Nelson, clarinet; Rodger Burnett, French horn; Keith Ward, piano; Tanya Stambuk, piano.

5. People can be miserable. Dogs, on the other hand, are always pretty awesome. There's just something about unconditional love and the ability to chase a tennis ball for hours on end that always wins us over. At 8 p.m., Tacoma's London Couture independent clothing store presents the second annual "Strut for a Mutt" fashion show, scheduled to go down in Opera Alley and featuring catering by AmeRAWcan Bistro, entertainment by the Imperial Sovereign Court of Tacoma and Shannel (of RuPaul's Drag Race TV show), and treats throughout from the Mix (read: wine and munchies). All proceeds of the Strut for a Mutt event go to Puyallup's Metro Animal Shelter. You should know cocktail hour begins at 7 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: New movies open today

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment comes from Rachel S in response to Jennifer Johnson's most recent "Lunch at the Market" column, this time around focusing on the Puyallup Farmers Market.

Rachel S writes,

I go to the Puyallup farmers market every week to get a phatty philly @ Philly This. The boys that run that booth are always fun and the philly's are always awesome!

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Happy Labor Day: 10 great things courtesy of labor unions (Good)

Tacoma School District Takes Another Hit: Jason Lee Middle School's core classes are back to coed. (News Tribune)

In Other School News: They're kicking ass in Puyallup (News Tribune)

Propaganda Bureau: It now controls two major Beijing newspapers. (Guardian)

In Other Newspaper News: There is no safer place to invest your money than print media, according to ... (The Onion)

Vote Now: What's the best animated TV theme of all time? (io9)

Happy Birthday Doodle: Today would have been Freddie Mercury's 65th birthday, and Google is honoring the Queen frontman. (Gawker)

American Idiot: Billie Joe Armstrong was kicked off a plane. (NY Mag)

C'MON ON! >>>

Monday's suck. It's a well-known fact. The party-of-a-lifetime hangover is still ripe and pounding. Your boss's view of what is priority is far from the top of your priority list.

You might be able to cure that horrible case of the Mondays with the follow South Sound specials:

Man Day Monday

Fast Eddie Felson from the 1961 classic The Hustler wasn't good with booze, money or women. But he could sure shoot a mean game of pool, and that made all the difference. Malarkey‘s Pool & Brew offers Man Day Mondays with half-priced burgers, 25 percent off drinks and free pool on the 9-foot tables. Half-priced burgers and free pool? Fast Eddie would be proud.

[Malarkey‘s Pool & Brew, Open until 2 a.m. daily, no cover, 445 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.383.3301]

Rockaraoke

Let's tally up the score for Jazzbones Rockaraoke, shall we? A chance to sing onstage with a live band? Yes. Two dollar Miller High Life? Yes. A valid excuse to drink on a Monday (repeat, Monday) night? Yes, yes and, oh God, yes.

[Jazzbones Restaurant and Nightclub, live band karaoke, 9 p.m., no cover ladies, $3 men, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

Pasta And Pints

If you've noticed we're pushing local breweries lately, you've caught us. We can't stay away from local beer. Plus, there's something about a local brewery that screams perfect date night. A couple pints of lager, a couple side salads, a doggy bag for the happy couple. ... Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery in Puyallup offers a pasta and pint combination every Monday that's easy on the wallet. Buy pasta off the menu and get any one of Powerhouse's seven beers free of charge. 

[Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery, Open until 9:30 p.m. on weekdays, 454 E. Main, Puyallup, 253.845.1370]

LINK: Happy hours on right now

LAST 10 >>>

Need more ideas for local dining experiences? Here are a few restaurants the Weekly Volcano has reviewed lately - in no particular order - to whet your appetite.

Zara set to dazzle: First bite at downtown Tacoma's new Mediterranean spot By Jennifer Johnson

Vacation in your backyard: Express Cuisine on Vashon Island isn't the Chinese drive-thru joint it sounds like By Jake and Jason de Paul

Peppercorn Bistro & Bar: Unexpected goodness in Federal Way By Jennifer Johnson

Spew: First in at Marrow By Jennifer Johnson

Karma will get you: Satisfying your Northern Indian food cravings in Puyallup By Jake and Jason de Paul

Spew: Time to get Social By Jennifer Johnson

No surprises: Puyallup's Comfort Food Cafe does healthy with a smile By Jake and Jason de Paul

Doted on: Jennifer Johnson and Jason de Paul share a meal at JW Restaurant in Gig Harbor By Jennifer Johnson and Jason de Paul

Food Carts: Lunch in Oly just got better By Brett Cihon

Spew: Left's Burger Shack is a win By Jennifer Johnson

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

WHAT TO DO >>>

Today marks the Pierce County Primary election, dagnabbit, and it's fascinating - not because it's supposed to be but because ... OK, it's supposed to be. Tacomans will vote on one City Council seat and two School Board positions. Throughout the county, we're looking at a battle for Milton mayor; races for council positions in Orting, Puyallup, University Place and Tacoma City Council Position 1; contests for Puyallup School District No. 3 and Tacoma School District No. 10; four people battling for Fire Protection District No. 22 and a race for Peniinsula Metropolitan Park District Commissioner Position 5. The Pierce County Audiot's website has the scoop.

You should consider yourself lucky: All you've got to do to get in on the action is vote today.

But how?

This is a vote-by-mail-only election. Ballots must be postmarked by midnight or dropped off at a designated collection spot by 8 p.m. For secure drop box locations, click here.

Remember to rip out the "I Voted" sticker from your nifty Voter's Pamphlet and wear it proud.

GOOEY THE PUYALLUP >>>

Ah, summer. A chance to take a drive, pitch a tent and start a fire.  My summer nights of youth meant sitting on a log and enjoying the scent of burning wood mingling with the sweet aroma of roasting marshmallows. I peeled the golden outer crust off, ate it and stuck that marshmallow back in the flame for more - before grabbing chunks of chocolate bar and graham crackers for the final s'mores act.

As an adult, I still love a gooey delicious treat (probably more than the next girl). Especially where chocolate and fire are in play.

Dreamt up by HG Bistro owner Tim Hall, the Bistro S'more is a gooey creation worthy of a trip to Puyallup.

Presentation is half the fun, and this tabletop flaming treat is quite a lovely show. A buttery puff pastry filled with Lindor chocolate truffle and marshmallows is served on a cedar plank strewn with crushed graham cracker and Ghirardelli chocolate drizzle. A Bacardi 151-fueled flame gently scorches the cedar producing campfire smell and instant nostalgia. The dessert is definitely large enough to share. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream sends my taste buds over the edge.

While you may not be able to go camping, in Puyallup you can have your s'more and eat it, too.

[HG Bistro, 1618 E Main, Puyallup, 253.845.5747]

YES, OMG >>>

The star of the Disney Channel's original series Shake It Up is coming to South Hill Mall in Puyallup. Bella Thorne will hang in the Center Court from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. And the great news is autographs and photos are absolutely free.

In other unconfirmed news, later the same day the stars of Disney's The Suite Life on Deck will dance and sing at the Sperry Ocean Dock along Schuster Parkway in Tacoma ... until the neighborhood along the bluff above pummels them with tomatoes.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Tacoma City Council candidates Anders Ibsen and Karen Smitherman do not want giant TV screens blinking outside your living room window at all hours of the evening. (Tacoma Urbanist)

Ben's Quality Lube & Tune in Puyallup will change your oil for free if you say "Vote for John Hopkins," a Puyallup City Council candidate. Katie Blinn, co-director of elections for the Office of the Secretary of State, doesn't have a problem with that. Anybody home? (The News Tribune)

After the Stock Market dip and debt debacle, 82 percent of the country disapproves of Congress, the highest number since the New York Times began recording the statistic in 1977. (New York Times)

Celebrity broadcaster Bothaina Kamel, 49, is Egypt's first female presidential candidate. While she may not stand a chance of winning, at least she's better than Roseanne. (NY Magazine)

Men who dig Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash are called "Bronies." (Jezebel)

OMG it's a Harry Potter cookbook. Swoon. Recipe for Daniel Radcliffe to love us, please. (Serious Eats)

On a slightly less calming note, here's a trained "mushroom suit" that will eat you when you die. (Dvice)

LINK: After this news you could use a happy hour

LOL >>>

Pho U is now open at 3707 Meridian S. in Puyallup. That's all we know. The end.