THE POLLS ARE NOW OPEN >>>

Spring is in the air.

This means lust is in the air - and in the pages of the Weekly Volcano.

Once again, the 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.

Our annual celebration of the flesh, The Sex 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. Not just cliché sex appeal, of no relation to AXE Deodorant Body Spray campaigns, and certainly much more than mere looks, the Volcano Sexy Issue attempts to answer simple question: What defines sexiness in the South Sound?

This year, we are asking you to nominate the person who makes you all hot and bothered in the following categories: Bartender, Barista, Delivery Person, Real Estate Agent, Athlete, Servicemember, Drummer, Tattoo Artist and Mom.

On Thursday, June 2, the Weekly Volcano will publish The Sexy Issue, immortalizing the sexy, chosen few forever.

Help us find them.

Voting ends May 12 - so help the Weekly Volcano find the South Sound's hottest citizens. Vote today!

Vote for the South Sound's sexiest people (please include where they work):

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 20011 >>>

1. The Monster Truck Show rolls into the Puyallup Spring Fair bringing with it some 30 tons of flying truck. You know the basic idea here - overgrown toys flying over dirt and crushing old junked sedans. The pit party runs 4-6 p.m., followed by the 8 p.m. battle.

2. The Post Pop/Pop Art Exhibition, put on by The Gallery at Tacoma Community College and gallery coordinator Jennifer Olson-Rudenko, is a hell of an idea. The exhibit, which is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is a collection of submissions - from professional artists and local school children alike - celebrating the time-honored practice of co-opting commercial art for "high art" purposes. Read Alec Clayton's review of the show here.

3. Rick Lawson says that after returning home from combat duty in Balad, Iraq in 2004-2005 he had a hard time answering questions from friends about what the experience had been like. He took a humanities course at Western Washington University in which they studied the 11th century Bayeux Tapesty, which portrayed the Battle of Hastings. That study was the inspiration for his War Experience Project on display at 906 Broadway as part of Spaceworks Tacoma. Lawson holds an open house for the show from 3-8 p.m.

4. In the tradition of barrio fiestas in the Philippines, Saint Martin's University invites the public to share in the celebration of its second annual Barrio Fiesta at 5 p.m. Expect Filipino heritage through song, dance and a dinner featuring a traditional menu.

5. The Backstage Bar & Grill on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue hosts a Bikers Against Child Abuse benefit featuring the Hollywood Allstarz beginning at 9 p.m. Expect a raffle and drink specials.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Concerts go on sale today

LINK: Movies open today

ACCESS SOUTH SOUND DRINK SPECIALS IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND >>>

The Weekly Volcano Happy Hour App has up-to-date listings of happy-hour offerings from bars, clubs, taverns and restaurants from Tumwater to Federal Way, from Gig Harbor to Bonney Lake. As of now, some 160 happy hours are listed - with more being added on a constant basis.

Your smart phone tells the app where you are, you specify any special happy-hour needs you might have, and - voilà - you've got a detailed list of every happy hour around, including specials and when that happy hour ends. The list is sorted by distance from your current location, and you can turn your phone sideways for a Google map of the nearest picks. Can't decide which one to try? Give the phone a good shake and the app will randomly select a happy hour for you.

The Weekly Volcano Happy Hour app is available for iPhone, Android and Blackberry. And no matter what platform you use, it's free - so you can save your money for that last half-price margarita or two-for-one beer special of the night.

The Happy Hour section at weeklyvolcano.com has been redesigned to carry the same information as the phone app.

More good news: Because the Weekly Volcano has partnered with GoTime.com, our happy hour app doesn't only work in the South Sound; it also works in 160 other cities around the country.

LINK: Download the app to your phone

LINK: Our new nifty happy hour section

LINK: Scenes from the App Launch Party

Here's something to watch

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011 >>>

1. Six films compose the Diversity Film Festival at The Grand Cinema (April 6-18), each one a meditation on the theme of cultural diversity. Catch up on the story here. Reel Injun - A documentary tracing how the images of Native American people in cinema have influenced the understanding and misunderstanding of their culture and history - opens the DFF today with a 1:55 p.m. screening. At 8 p.m., Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna - a film exploring the largely forgotten exploits of the African American infantrymen known as Buffalo Soldiers - screens at The Grand.

2. Back in November the Swan Creek Master Plan development contract was awarded to MIG. Since then, three possible concepts for the 250-acre greenspace have been drawn up that include a salmon-bearing stream, wooded canyon, upland forest, trails and community garden. Want to check out the plans? Drop by the Salishan Family Investment Center (1728 E. 44th St., Tacoma ) between 4-6 p.m. and share your vision concerning the park.

3. Burc McFarlan of Fish Brewing in Olympia will drop in on 99 Bottles in Federal Way from 4-7 p.m. with crates and crates full of Swordfish Double Cascadian Dark Ale among other Fish brews for a dollar a person tasting.

4. A.Madman follows in the same lineage of sample-heavy electronica as groups like the Avalanches - groups that value texture and ambience in equal proportion to hooks and dancey grooves. Check them out with Broken Figures, Ghost Feet and Bizzart at 8 p.m. inside the all-ages venue Northern in downtown Olympia.

5. As part of Wildstyle Wednesdays at the Gruv Lounge, live hip-hop from XP and Rockwell Powers will complement the funky beats from DJs Reign and Slim Rock, beginning at 9 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Half-priced bottles of wine tonight

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2011 >>>

1. The Dockyard Derby Dames are back for their second game of the 2011 season with roller derby action beginning at 6 p.m. on the Pierce College campus in Lakewood. After a grudge-match that's lasted three seasons, the Hellbound Homewreckers are poised to take on the Marauding Mollys in the opening bout. Each with season championships under their belts, the Femme Fianna and Trampires are vying for dominance on the track. The winner secures a spot in the championship bout to take place in June. Bonus: A portion of ticket sales benefit Pierce County AIDS Foundation.

2. Sanford & Son Antiques will hosts a Saturday Market featuring baskets, exercise equipment, clothing, jewelry, books, stained glass and much more for sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. The Mild to Wild Hot Rods and Hot Rides show gathers a collection of hot rods, muscle cars, race cars, custom bikes, traditionals (rat rods), and low riders from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. inside the Puyallup Fair Events Center.

4. We all know Rock The Dock Pub & Grill has crazy fans. We've seen them. But they also have huge hearts. From noon to close, the waterside watering hole will host a benefit for Mary Bridge Children's Hem/Onc Department with a silent auction, raffle and The Dock tossing in 10 percent of gross sales for the children. Knee Deep, Custom, Daze of Never, O'Dark:30, High Noon Horizon, The Kingdogs and Kickstart will rock the joint from opening to close.

5. One part kitsch, one part political satire, and one part glitter, the Kinsey Sicks, describe themselves as "America's Favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet." The group will skewering everyone from Condoleezza Rice to Vanna White at 7:30 p.m. inside the Theatre on the Square. With songs like "Botoxic" and "Gay Será Será," these boys in tights will bring transvestite wackiness to Tacoma.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Concert go on sale

LINK: Wine tastings!

FRIDAY, APRIL 1: FINAL FOUR >>>

And then there were four ...

Believe it or not, fine readers, there have been days during the Tournament of Pizza when, by noon or so, it was already obvious which pizza joints would be moving on and which would be going home. There were blowouts ...oh were there ever. Sometimes, it made our job a little easier; we could work on the next day's copy at a decent hour of the evening without fear the game would suddenly turn.

Oh, but yesterday was different. Yesterday, the votes just kept coming - from tipoff to the final buzzer. And each of the four contests stayed close. First we topped a thousand votes - dead heats. Then two - still neck and neck. Then three - are you kidding?

By the time we got to four thousand votes you'd think a pattern would have developed - obvious favorites would have emerged. But it was not to be. Our Weekly Volcano Tournament of Pizza vote counters were up late last night tallying the results - which weren't settled for good until the very end.

Yesterday played out just like you'd expect the Tournament of Pizza "Baked Eight" to. Here's a look at the results and today's highly anticipated Final Four matchups.

Yesterday's Results

Apollo's Pizza & Pasta vs. Casa Mia Italian Restaurant

After mounting quite a tear through the Tournament of Pizza, a tear that - quite honestly - many weren't prepared for (apparently taking the award-winning history for granted) Casa Mia's run came to a halt when it faced Apollo's Pizza & Pasta yesterday, the newly crowned champion of the Tournament of Pizza South Region. Apollo's moves on to the Tournament of Pizza Final Four, taking the pride that comes along with making it further than any other Olympia or Lacey pizza establishment with it.

Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant vs. Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery

Katie Downs has made a lot of friends in its nearly 30 year history on the Ruston Waterfront. And its pizza has pleased many a belly. Yesterday, the Tacoma destination for stiff drinks and massive pies needed all of those friends and pleased bellies to take down Upper Crust, one of the Tournament of Pizza's more surprising stories. Who would have thought the Northend Tacoma spot known for high brow pies and, at least on our visit last week, $5 glasses of red wine to prime the voters would have advanced all the way to the Baked Eight? That's exactly what happened, but yesterday's Katie Downs gained the upper hand after an intense battle - moving onto the Final Four to face Rollies.

Rollies Tavern vs. Trackside Pizza

When first discussing the Tournament of Pizza, in editorial meetings that seem like they were many moons ago, Rollies Tavern was mentioned almost immediately. It's got a following, and everyone knows it. Rollies pizza quickly comes to the lips of many when discussing the best South Sound pizzas. The bar frequented by military types and pie-lovers alike has fared well so far in the Tournament of Pizza, and yesterday - despite being locked in one hell of a close game all day long - Rollies again prevailed, taking down the much loved Puyallup institution that is Trackside. Neither competitor has anything to be ashamed of as they both mounted impressive runs. That said, Rollies moves on to the Final Four, while Trackside begrudgingly goes home.

Delbrocco's Pizza, Steak and Hoagie vs. The Fan Club Sports Bar

If there's one pizza joint that can play the "us against the world," "we don't get the respect we deserve," card - it's undoubtedly Delbrocco's Pizza, Steak and Hoagies. The Philly-style, T-Town pizza spot has killed it so far in the Tournament of Pizza, to the surprise of many.

That said, most prognosticators still assumed Delbrocco's would go down when facing might Fan Club of Lakewood. Surely, the Fan Club would have too much fire power for Delbrocco's, right?

Well, yes, but it took every minute of voting, and every ounce of possible effort on the part of the Fan Club to get the job done. In what was easily one of the closest, most exciting contests to track of the entire tournament - even considering "tracking" the game basically meant watching votes come in - the Fan Club eventually emerged victorious, scraping out 51 percent of the vote on a day when more than 4,600 chimed in.

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles. Vote for one pizza joint per battle, then scroll to the bottom and click "Done." Only one vote per person. Any duplicate or Spam responses will be disqualified.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31: BAKED EIGHT >>>

For the last two weeks we presented you with a compelling question: Who makes the best pizza in the South Sound?

Well, we're closer than we've ever been to finding out - at least based on the voice of you, the readers and voters.

Today is a very special day in the Volcano's Tournament of Pizza - the Baked Eight. Yes, only eight out of an original 64 area pizza joints remain, each doing battle today to stay alive and fight on toward ultimate Tournament of Pizza glory.

If we were you we'd just call in sick, grab some Rolaids and watch it all unfold.

Short of that, a good place to start would be by voting below.

Yesterday's Results

Aversano's vs. Rollies Tavern

Despite a late push from Sumner's heralded Aversano's, Rollies and its large, devoted, strongly Air Force following proved too powerful in yesterday's action, catapulting into the Baked Eight with a resounding victory. Rollies is known for toppings, toppings some might say cover more than 63 percent of the delicious pizzas. Strangely, that's exactly the percentage of the vote Rollies received yesterday. Weird. Today Rollies will face Trackside.

Louie G's Pizza vs. Trackside Pizza

As you may have gathered since Trackside will be competing against Rollies today, Puyallup's favorite pizza joint (at least based on Tournament of Pizza results) was able to fend off Louie G's of Fife yesterday and play its way into Baked Eight. After an impressive run, Louie G's - even with the newfound support of the all-ages music scene - couldn't climb the mountain that was Trackside - which scored roughly 70 percent of the vote in victory.

Katie Downs Waterfront Pizza vs. Puget Sound Pizza

We feel bad for the kids on this one ... especially the kids in tight pants. But something tells us they'll survive, and they'll do so in tasty style with the Puget Sound Pizza they (and much of the area, it seems) has come to love. Unfortunately for Puget Sound Pizza, the task yesterday of taking down Katie Downs was simply too much - and the votes told the story. When all was said and done, Katie Downs moved on with nearly 89 percent of the votes in the day's most active contest.

The Rock Brick Oven Pizza vs. Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery

The way Upper Crust has managed to bring it during this year's Tournament of Pizza has been nothing short of amazing. Yesterday, many already had established competitor The Rock penciled in as a winner. Those people, however, where foolish - as Upper Crust once again proved its pizza prowess. The votes don't lie, and when the final buzzer sounded Upper Crust had racked up roughly 80 percent of the vote and comfortably moved into Baked Eight competition.

The following four pizza joints will advance to the Baked Eight:

• Rollies Tavern
  
• Trackside Pizza
  
• Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant
  
• Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery
  

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles. Vote for one pizza joint per battle, then scroll to the bottom and click "Done."

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2011 >>>

1. Leaning in the acoustic, folk and Celtic direction, Rob Folsom will perform at A Rhapsody in Bloom on Sixth Avenue in Tacoma tonight at 7 p.m. If that doesn't strike your fancy, try perusing the Volcano's extensive live local music calendar here.

2. What happens when a team of local artists travels to Bwindi, Uganda, to teach art making to members of the Batwa pygmy tribe? Find out today during a free lecture, where Art Without Borders trip participants Marsha Conn (project organizer), Lynn Di Nino, Cheryl Johnson, Annie Moorehouse, Joan Robbins, Elinor Maroney and Carol Brady will recount stories of their extraordinary journey, and their efforts to aid the Batwa people.

3. Ahh yeah, boi! Phunkatron does its thing at Jazzbones tonight. Why should Wednesday night be boring?

4. Like bingo? Like free stuff? Like not getting drunk, falling down, making an ass of yourself and eventually ruining your life? Well, then, partner - we say try Applnni's Two Clean and Sober Club tonight in Puyallup ... because it's "Free Bingo," ya'll!

5. Go loony for letterpress today at the Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound, checking in with the Quintessence: The Ethereal and Material That Inspire the May Day Press exhibit by Alice Michaelis that runs through April 14.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30: STUFFED 16 GAMES >>>

You know how yesterday we said you, much-appreciated readers, had responded in droves to our Tournament of Pizza so far this year.

Well, we lied. We hadn't seen anything yet.

Yesterday was droves, people, perhaps more. Yesterday was just plain freakin' nuts.

An astounding 2507 of you took a minute out of your schedules to participate in yesterday's Tournament of Pizza action - shattering all previous records (which is something we had the pleasure of saying a lot this year).

It was awesome. When it comes to pizza, it's obvious you really care.

Maybe too much ...

On to today's Tournament of Pizza action and yesterday's results.

Yesterday's Results

Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante vs. Delbrocco's Pizza, Steak & Hoagies

R-E-S-P-E-C-T is how the song goes, and that's just what unheralded Delbrocco's has been earning so far in the Tournament of Pizza, knocking off Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante yesterday and garnering - get this! - 73 percent of the vote. This is all the more impressive when you consider Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante took out Cloverleaf Pizza just a round earlier, meaning - by the power of Tournament of Pizza deduction - Delbrocco's, and its Philly style pizza action - can claim superiority over both. What's the world coming to? Find out when Delbrocco's moves on to face the currently enfuego Fan Club of Lakewood.

Fondi Pizzeria vs. The Fan Club Sports Bar

Honestly, poor Fondi Pizzeria never had a chance in this one. In a day of voting that shattered all previous Tournament of Pizza records, The Fan Club was likely the catalyst - bringing in (no shit) more than 1,700 votes. Take a moment to digest that performance. If it's a sign of things to come, The Fan Club - which amazingly entered the tournament as a 15 seed - has to be the odds on favorite to win it all. Now, digest that. Crazy, man. Just crazy. Their taco pizza may have something to do with it. But the ability to round up 1,700 votes in a single day probably has more.

Apollo Pizza & Pasta vs. Infernos Brick Oven Pizza

In a day of blowouts, Apollo of Olympia only continued the trend, knocking out Tumwater's Inferno's Brick Oven Pizza, a venue that defied the expectations of many just by reaching this point (if only for lack of Tumwater knowledge). In a packed South Region that originally held heavyweights like Oldschool, Vic's and even Smitty's, Apollo - originally a nine seed - now finds itself one win away from the Final Four. Next up for Apollo ...

Ricardo's Restaurant vs. Casa Mia Italian Restaurant

To be blunt, Ricardo's did far more damage in the Tournament of Pizza than anyone here at Weekly Volcano World Headquarters anticipated. We know the Lacey destination more for its steaks than pies. Taking out Smitty's in the first round, and later Farrelli's of DuPont in the second, was impressive to say the least. However, those good times came to an abrupt halt yesterday when Casa Mia once again flexed its muscles, perhaps emerging as the odds on favorite to make the Final Four out of the South Region. Snagging 76 percent of the vote, it was another dominant performance for Casa Mia, a local favorite that seems to be getting stronger with every victory.

The following four pizza joints will advance to the Baked Eight:

• Delbrocco's Pizza, Steak & Hoagies
  
• The Fan Club Sports Bar
  
• Apollo Pizza & Pasta
  
• Casa Mia Italian Restaurant
  

Today's Competition

Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine

OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles. Vote for one pizza joint per battle, then scroll to the bottom and click "Done."

SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011 >>>

1. There are two types of people in this world: Those who love dogs and those who hate them. Today is the day to learn who your friends are. If your best friend has four legs and big, brown, sad, puppy eyes then you will be at the Most Magnificent Mutt Show from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Frontier Park in Graham. If your best friend likes to kick at things with four legs and big, brown, sad puppy eyes, you'll stay at home, listening to talk radio and doing other mean-people stuff.

2. The Tacoma community will gather from 10 a.m. to noon at Thea's Park to hug, pray and reflect on the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. Elected officials and representatives from the Japanese community in Tacoma will speak. 

3. Roses have intrigued dreamers and poets since the dawn of time. And even as their varieties have evolved - there are more than 28,000 kinds now - their appeal has remained undeniable. A garden sale to benefit the Metro Parks' Rose Gardens will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on at the Pagoda at Point Defiance Park. Sponsored by the Tacoma Rose Society, the sale will feature roses grown by Metro Parks' staff and Tacoma Rose Society members, as well as roses donated by several local nurseries. Other plants and an eclectic mix of garden treasures will also be for sale. Donations from the American Red Cross relief work in Japan will be accepted at the event.

4. While "pipes, drums and dancing!" could also describe Volcano editor Matt Driscoll's five years at The Evergreen State College, more accurately (and relevant to this attempt at blurb-sized information spreading) it's the description given to the Clan Gordon Pipe Band's 48th Annual Tartan Ball, scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. While the title of the event may make it sound like some bizarre-o cult initiation ceremony only open to albinos and in-breeders, in reality it's only KIND OF like some bizarre-o cult initiation ceremony only open to albinos and in-breeders. It's actually much closer to a celebration of bagpipes and Scottish music. Semiformal attire is required (so ditch the jeans, crusty).

5. After the Tartan Ball (see above), drive up Meridian to the Roadhouse Tavern. It's interior bears some resemblance to the country bar Patrick Swayze watches over in Road House. There's a pool table, pull tabs and patterned carpeting. There are also good drinks and friendly customers. Unlike Swayze's Road House, this tavern is a great spot for a mellow night away from the crowds ... and men in kilts.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Concerts go on sale today

LINK: Wine tastings!