WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Suing The Tacoma Police Department: A man says two Tacoma Police officers broke his arm and shoulders during a traffic stop. (News Tribune)

Slimeball Alert: Tacoma Police are searching for a man who tried to abduct a woman but instead ram his truck into her. (News Tribune)

Nonprofits Might Be Taxed: The City of Tacoma is considering taxing nonprofict organizations to score some much needed cash. (News Tribune)

Head Scratcher: Israeli pilots would have a helluva task bombing Iran. (The New York Times)

Their Big Fat Greek Bailout II: European ministers have a deal for Greece. (The New York Times)

Dodging Ice Blocks: A rapid thaw brings chaos to the River Danube in Belgrade. (BBC)

Best Of Olympia 2012: It's online! (Weekly Volcano)

Get Ready For The Marketing Machine: Lindsay Lohan returns to host Saturday Night Live with musical guest Jack White in tow. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Matt Groening: Life after 500 episodes of The Simpsons. (Los Angeles Times)

It's A Funeral!: Timeline of Whitney Houston's funeral. (E Online)

Happy President's Day!

SATURDAY, FEB. 18 2012 >>>

1. Seattle's eclectic roots ensemble New Forge teams up with members of the Blackberry Bushes Stringband, joined by Olympia's Lob Strilla on banjo and Ben Sidelinger on dobro and electric bass, for a performance at the Eastside Club Tavern beginning at 9:30 p.m.

2. In time for a swell 30th anniversary appearance, Annie returns to the silver screen at 2:30 p.m. inside Olympia's Capitol Theater. But don't come looking for a 3-D reboot like some of these supposed "classics" Hollywood plans to dig up this year. (The Phantom Menace? Wow.) Instead, clear your throat, rehearse those pipes and get ready to belt out song after song from this feel-good musical, and all for a good cause. Every suggested $10 donation collected at the door benefits Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights. But please, call the organization POWER.

3. King's Books is undeniably the literary epicenter of Tacoma these days. So it's not surprising to see local poet and author David Fewster has a book release party and signing from 4-6 p.m. at King's for his latest effort, Neddie Learns The Blues. A picture book illustrated by Tim Bernsau and described as comparable to "a children's book by Tom Lehrer and Charles Schulz as edited by Lenny Bruce," Neddie Learns the Blues is also not for kids ... literally. Apparently they wont sell it to you unless you're 18. All the more reason to celebrate it! Saturday's book signing will be accompanied by a short musical performance by the group Folksingers in Hell.

4. Want to watch men in masks and underpants bludgeon the holy hell out of each other? Lucha Libre Volcánica, in collaboration with University of Puget Sound's CHiSPA (Community for Hispanic Awareness), host a night of lucha libre wrestling from 7-9 p.m. at the UPS Memorial Fieldhouse. Compared to professional wrestling, Lucha libre wrestlers are definitely physical as well, but it's a bit more theatrical. More like sketch comedy.

5. The Waterstreet Cafe hosts a Carnival Celebration featuring the Afro-Cuban band Ocho Pies at 9:30 p.m.

THE WEEKEND HUSTLE: We preview tons of events happening today

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

LINK: South Sound happy hours

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

This Weekend: A buttload of rain. (Seattle Times)

Occupy Tacoma: The lights went out ... probably for good. (News Tribune)

Payroll Tax Cut Extension: The Senate and the House hug it out over a deal. (CNN)

What the Fukushima?: As the United States prepares to build its first new nuclear power reactors in three decades, concerns about an early generation of plants have resurfaced since last year's disaster in Japan. (CNN)

Syria: Troops have resumed heavy shelling of the Syrian city of Homs. (BBC)

World's Best Movie Theaters: No children, booze and 4D. (CNN)

Didn't See This Coming: Charlie Sheen doesn't have many positive things to say about this season's Two and a Half Men. (Hollywood Reporter)

Didn't See This Coming II: Man suffers heart attack whileeating "Triple Bypass Burger" at Heart Attack Grill. (Time)

Colbert Report: Suspended temporarily for family issues. (The Wall Street Journal)

Idiotic: Oxygen greenlights a pilot for a teen wedding reality show. (Deadline)

Oh.

stereo skifcha from xgabberx on Vimeo.

THURSDAY, FEB. 16, 2012 >>>

1. The Weekly Volcano Best of Olympia 2012 issue is on the street. Now it's time to party. We feel more than comfortable saying tonight's Best of Olympia 2012 Party at the 4th Avenue Tavern is going to be, for all intents and purposes, "off da hook." Music from Scott Taylor and the Fond Farewells and headliners Glass Elevator, $2 Oly draft all night long, a huge raffle, Olympia trivia, a large percentage of the Volcano's esteemed staff in one spot (and available for mass ridicule), and the debut of the Volcano's Best of Olympia 2012. What else could you want? Probably nothing we can deliver. What we can deliver is all the aforementioned goodness for free beginning at 6 p.m.

2. When The Second City, scheduled to hit Tacoma tonight as part of its "Laugh Out Loud" tour, bills itself as the "world's premier comedy club and school of improvisation," it's a no shit statement. The Second City REALLY IS the world's premiere comedy troupe and school of improvisation, with 50-plus years of service since its 1959 inception in Chicago, and an alumni roster that includes the likes of John Belushi, John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner. That's hard to top. At 7:30 p.m., the Second City returns to the Pantages Theater. According to promotion the show is "by popular demand." That's also a no shit statement.

3. Half the Hapa Hillbillies - steel guitar master Ben Bonham, mandolinist Kerry Williams and uke and guitar specialist Rick Hulett -will join vocalist/violinist Jessica Blinn and jazz guitarist Vince Brown for an impromptu swing jam from 9-11 p.m. at Adesso, 109 Legion Way SW in Olympia.

4. Here at the Volcano we absolutely love anything described as "an entirely indie horror/cheese fest." Since that's just such the description event organizers for tonight's 9 p.m. debut of the locally made horror flick Unsound chose for the film, we feel entirely comfortable recommending it. Worst-case scenario you'll just find yourself at The New Frontier forced to enjoy the tunes of Sleepy Pilot and Smoking Bill - which is no sad fate. With raffle prizes and drink specials also planned, as well as other shorts from Greater Wealth Productions - the local movie crafters behind Unsound - this is likely one of the more entertaining options tonight in Grit City.

5. The Deltan Club's Thursday night Beat Fetish! bass music explosion will be a special "Wright Night" birthday bash featuring DJs Omarvelous, DJ Flave, Jess E Bomb, Cyphers and guests, beginning at 10 p.m. We have no idea what that means, but exciting!

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

LINK: South Sound happy hours

A FUNDRAISER FOR POWER >>>

In time for a swell 30^th anniversary appearance, Annie returns to the silver screen this Saturday, Feb. 18, at Olympia's Capitol Theater. But don't come looking for a 3-D reboot like some of these supposed "classics" Hollywood plans to dig up this year. (The Phantom Menace? Wow.) Instead, clear your throat, rehearse those pipes and get ready to belt out song after song from this feel-good musical, and all for a good cause to boot. Every suggested $10 donation collected at the door benefits Parents Organizing for Welfare and Economic Rights.

But please, call the organization POWER. Save that golden voice of yours for the singing.

With offices in Olympia and Seattle, POWER serves the oftentimes powerless (children, seniors, the disabled), working to ensure sufficient social programs exist for these groups. Interestingly, low-income parents comprise over 80-percent of the organization's membership, imbuing the public cry for action with a personal perspective.

"We work hard to get our voice heard," says Monica Peabody, Director of POWER (wish I had a job title like that). "We don't have money to hire lobbyists, but we do have our stories, and we do have our experiences, and we think that our stories and our experiences can challenge misconceptions and stereotypes."

Peabody's fundraising team has decided to tackle serious issues in a distinctive way - with a lighthearted, bubbly piece of movie magic involving one spunky redhead. "I love the character of Annie because she's ... fearless and fierce," says Sfirah Madrone, POWER's office manager and volunteer coordinator.

Tasked with injecting some fun into this fundraiser, committee member Jennifer Kenny recognizes in this hard knock life of ours the power of optimism, creativity and community - three necessary ingredients for any sing-along.

"There's a lot of gloom and doom in the news out there, and we're fighting a pretty big effort here for economic rights," says Kenny, "but it doesn't mean we can't come together and celebrate our own strengths."

With a theater full of voices shouting the lyrics to "Tomorrow" this weekend, gloom is definitely on notice. The show starts 2:30 p.m.. Discover more about POWER by visiting the organization's website at www.mamapower.org. 

[The Capitol Theater, POWER Presents Annie Sing-along Benefit, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m. doors, 2:30 p.m. screening, $10 suggested donation (pay what you can), 206 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia, 360.754.6670, olympiafilsociety.org]

LOVE IN THE DARK >>>

As many of you probably know, Valentine's Day has arrived. (And for those of you who didn't know, you better grab a bag of Valentine's Day hearts from the half-off bin at Rite Aid.)  Whether you're single or married; straight, gay, bisexual, asexual; a virgin or a floozy - you'll need something to do today. Hell, we all need something to do every Tuesday but let's not make ourselves crazy. One Tuesday at a time.

Weekly Volcano directs you away from a Valentine's evening of $10 valet parking and dance-floor grindations and instead suggests a movie. Whether you hate love or love to love, everyone can appreciate a good flick - such as Sidewalls (Medianeras) screening today at The Grand Cinema.

Sidewalls fits nicely in with Valentine's Day AND The Grand's Tuesday indie film series with its intellectually playful romantic comedy about love amid the three million folks milling about in Buenos Aires. Martin and Mariana live on the same street, in opposite buildings, but they never met until new technologies unites them ... and keeps them apart at the same time.

Sidewalls screens today at 2:05 and 7:10 p.m.

[The Grand Cinema, Sidewalls (Medianeras), Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2:05 and 7:10 p.m., $5.50-$9, 606 S. Fawcett, Tacoma, 253.593.4474]

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Occupying The History Museum: Rick Santorum vs. Occupy Tacoma and glitter. (Slog)

Gay Marriage Bill: It's signed. (News Tribune)

Syria: Residents brace for a full-blown war. (CNN)

China In The United States: The man likely to become China's next leader, Vice-President Xi Jinping, begins a closely watched visit to the United States. (BBC)

Valentine's Day: The lost art of romance. (CNN)

Sure Why Not Of The Day: All 22 Bond film intros, shown simultaneously side by side. (The Daily What)

Hey Mattel!: Shouldn't your Back to the Future hoverboards actually hover? (Slash Film)

Finally!: Scratch-n-Sniff Raspberry Scented Denim Jeans. (Laughing Squid)

I Saw U Eating Those Peanuts: When your airplane seatmate becomes your soul mate. (Time)

We're Outta Here

How to Build a Time Machine - Doc Ignite Campaign Video from Jay Cheel on Vimeo.

TACOMA ON THE TUBE >>>

Last year, Tacoma's own Vicci Martinez had a remarkable run on the NBC singing competition, The Voice. Martinez eventually landed in the top four, just short of taking the whole thing. As Weekly Volcano music critic Rev. Adam McKinney noted, "This is notable for a number of reasons, most obviously because of the pride we have in our own, and the deftness with which Martinez handled her performances over several weeks on national television. We couldn't have asked for a more charming, talented and humble representative of our neck of the woods. Despite not taking the top prize, Martinez took full advantage of what was really a several-week-long audition for anyone who was watching, and has since received a record contract."

It was exciting, to say the least.

Whether it's a bout the music, or just a marketing shot in the arm, Cee Lo Green  - Martinez's mentor and coach on the NBC TV's reality singing competition - will be the musical guest tonight on "The Tonight Show."

And Martinez will be right next to him.

The duo will be debuting the single "Come Along."

Tune at 11:35 p.m. on NBC, Channel 5.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Today's Lesson: Bryant Montessori doesn't need any more drama. (News Tribune)

Marijuana Legalization: Pot Initiative 502 won't get fast-tracked by the state Legislature before it sees the ballot this fall. (News Tribune)

Pissing Off Catholics: President Obama will announce a plan as early as today to accommodate religious employers opposed to a rule that would require them to cover birth control for women free of charge. (USA Today)

Mortgage Deal: Conservatives say the $26 billion deal to settle charges of mortgage fraud unfairly rewards those who miss payments; liberals say it doesn't offer enough relief. (CNN)

Russia Doesn't Like Spies: An engineer at Russia's Plesetsk space station is jailed for 13 years after being convicted of selling missile test data to the CIA. (BBC)

Geeks On Parade: Comic-Con to open with 136-mile Olympics-style lightsaber relay. (LA Times)

Hey Young People!: Portlandia to get its own book. (Rolling Stone)

The Simpsons at 500: Untold Stories. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Yes Trollhunter Is On The List: The top 50 foreign language films of the last decade. (Den Of Geek)

A Brief Photographic History: Glitter-Bombs. (Time)

Designer Pops: (No idea how to describe this due to poor study habits in our German class.) (Thaeger)

Scary Nature Thing Of The Day

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Appalling: Lakewood police guild treasurer accused of theft cashing in on the deaths of four colleagues and feathering his nest with shiny toys. (News Tribune)

Stay Classy, Westboro Baptist Church: The notoriously anti-gay church plans to picket Saturday's funeral for Charlie and Braden Powell and will be counterprotested by Occupy Seattle. (News Tribune)

Same-Sex Marriage: State House approved a same-sex marriage proposal 55 to 43. (News Tribune)

Mortgage Relief: In the biggest deal to date to fix the housing crisis, officials announced a huge foreclosure settlement with banks. (CNN)

Greece Bailout: Greece agrees to the austerity measures required to gain a new bailout hours before eurozone finance ministers are due to discuss the deal in Brussels. (BBC)

Sonic Fashion: Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon has a new fashion line. (Pitchfork)

Gary Busey: Bankrupt. (Yahoo)

Whoa: Watch the World's Largest Dodgeball Game. (Flavorwire)

Wizard Of Creepy: The 1902 adaptation of The Wizard of Oz looked extremely unsettling. (io9)

If You Have Nothing Else To Do: 25 animals who think they're people. (BuzzFeed)

Are You Ready?