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):

LET'S DO THIS 2011 THING >>>

Ah, the sweet artificiality of the New Year - the reassurance of a clean calendar, of resolutions for self-improvement. And then you pick up the newspaper, and that pure artifice of the change of year, that vagarious demarcation of another arbitrary moment, is rendered meaningless by the inexorably continuing chains of events that know no boundaries defined by pages in a calendar. (Remember, the Chinese and the Jews have their own calendars, no less arbitrary, no more meaningful.)  It's no wonder revelers seem to work so hard trying to have a good time as the countdowns begin.

We here at the Weekly Volcano and Spew hope you had a nice holiday season and we wish you the best all year around.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29 >>>

1. Koz of Konfuzion will rock the fuck out of Hell's Kitchen tonight in Tacoma along with Airpocalypse, Tangent, Knowledge of Trees, All Eyes Closed and 3 Smokin Barrels. And if you're in attendance, they'll rock the fuck out of you too. We mean, seriously - look at the dude in the bottom right hand corner of that photo up there. If that's not the face of someone getting the fuck rocked out of them, we don't know what is. There's no cover with a non-perishable food donation.

2. It's free bingo night at Applini's Two Clean and Sober Club in Puyallup. Naturally, it's all ages - because bingo and sobriety cannot be constricted by age. The rowdiness starts at 6 p.m.

3. Tacoma loves Maurice the Fish Records. There's good reason. Tonight, in a routine bar regulars have warmly embraced, there's another Maurice the Fish Records showcase at the Tempest Lounge on Hilltop. It's perfect Wednesday night activity material.

4. Knitting alone is sad. Group knitting is hot. Today, check out the group knitting at Tacoma Art Place. Info can be found here.

5. You're coming up on the last weekend to catch Zoolights and Fantasy Lights in Spanaway. Both yearly endeavors will shut it down for the year after Sunday. This evening would be a nice time to take the family out and see some bright shiny things ... if you're not already sick and tired of the holidays, that is.

SMILE, PARKLAND, YOU'RE ON CAMERA >>>

Inspiration comes largely from observation, from noticing the unique in the mundane. The seed of an idea may come from a book, a building's architecture  or, in actor-turned-director Mick Flaaen's case, two people outside Northern Pacific Coffee Company near Pacific Lutheran University.

And voilà - Flaaen's first short film Welcome to Parkland.

Flaaen got his start in front of the camera over 30 years ago at Lee Strasberg's famed Theatre and Film Institute in L.A., under the tutelage of Elia Kazan's daughter. Now a SAG actor, he lives with his family in Parkland, dabbles in local theater and next year will receive one of the last video production degrees from Clover Park Technical College's dissolving program.

Last year Flaaen attended the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and after gorging on a weeklong buffet of several hundred shorts, he and Parkland producer Steffen Hauglum resolved to make their own. Flaaen based his dramatic script on conversations his two friends shared during regular visits to the Garfield Street coffeehouse. The friends play versions of themselves in the film, with first-time actress Kim Whalen as a carefree woman suddenly coping with her dad's need for a kidney transplant. Shooting with a snazzy Canon EOS 5D Mark II, the director and his cameraman, Bob Potasky, had good reason to keep things local.

"My whole thing (as a filmmaker) is to remain true to where I'm from," says Flaaen.

WTP is undergoing some finishing touches, and then, according to Flaaen, it'll be off to the festival circuit to give distant audiences another peak into life on our small piece of the map.

Check out the trailer here.

HO HO HO >>

Every year our Christmas dinner has one flaw.  We have no gripes about eating the same menu annually - ham with cherry sauce, green bean casserole, twice-baked potatoes, and freshly baked rolls. It's the Jell-O salad that gets us. 

Our mom makes a strange concoction of dark cherry Jell-O with Coca-Cola and bits of cream cheese, which is not as bad as it sounds, but she serves us a slab on top of a piece of iceberg lettuce.  The lettuce is our mom's way of dressing up a barren salad plate, but the lettuce taste is transferred to the Jell-O.  We end up eating lettuce-flavored Jell-O, and trust us we've protested. 

As we gather around the Christmas dinner table with family and friends - feeling fortunate to even have food, family and friends - no doubt we'll have Jell-O on lettuce again.  We'll eat it, with a smile

What ever this day brings you, the Weekly Volcano staff wishes you a merry one. As always, thanks for reading, commenting and joining the fun. Cheers!

BECAUSE WE CARE >>>

This message came flying through the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters via the TacomaArt listserve:

I am a high school teacher in Spanaway, looking for a potter who would be willing to demonstrate basic wheel throwing for 2 classes of beginning ceramics students. I am trying to introduce my students to real working artists (besides me all the time). I can pay a modest amount for your time and gas. If you are interested, please contact me for more information. I'd like someone to come after the holidays when school resumes the week of Jan. 3rd.

Jann

Here's a Potter and wheel for you Jann:

You can reach Jann via email here.

WE RECOMMEND THESE LIVE SHOWS TODAY >>>

Dawson's Bar and Grill Tacoma - South. Blues Jam, hosted by Tim Hall. 21+. 8 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Black & Blue Sundays Thanksgiving Comedy Benefit Show, with Death Before Decaf. 21+. 8 pm. $5.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Open Mic with host Billy Farmer. It's a great variety show. All Ages. 6-9 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Second Anniversary Weekend featuring the "Hootenanny At The New Frontier" with Blue Billies, Swampy Draws and Elk Taco. 21+. 8 pm.

Rainier Arts Festival Ashford. Shoestring Band, John Sparrow, Maia Santell and House blend. Noon-4 pm.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. 253Heart Music Festival Wrap-Up Party, with Big Fuckin' Truck, Brother Scott, Painkillers, Kim Archer, Missionary Position, Jerry Miller, China Davis. Proceeds benefit the American Heart Association and Pierce County AIDS Foundation. 21+. 4 pm.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. Sunday Blues Jam Night. Hosted by Shelly Ely. 21+. 7-10 pm.

LINK: More live music today in the South Sound

MORE LIVE THAN YOU'LL EVER BE >>>

Cedarwood Dome Milton. A Tribute To Sublime. 21+. 8 pm. (The recent fire hasn't affected any off their operations.)

Hell's Kitchen Tacoma - Downtown. Church Of Hate, Koz Of Konfusion, Saydocarah, Jellyneck, The Curse Of Western Culture. 21+. 9 pm. $5.

HG Bistro Puyallup. Steve Stefanowicz. 21+. 8 pm. NC.

Le Voyeur Café and Lounge Olympia - Downtown. Stepkid. 21+. 9 pm.

Mandolin Cafe Tacoma - Central. Jam On My Muffin. All Ages. 6 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Save Sierra Benefit Show, with Basemint, Red Hex, Jason Freet. 21+. 9 pm.

• We take care of our own in Tacoma - or try to, at least. Last Wednesday, I was at The New Frontier when I heard that beloved Tacoma citizen, Sierra Venes, had just had her wallet stolen. She lost $400 in cash, and another $500 in checks. That's rent and then some, gone in a flash. Drinks were passed to her along with sympathetic pats on the back, and then Spencer Kelley of Basemint had an idea: a benefit show. And now - wouldn't you know it - that shit is happening. Tonight, get together in solidarity with a fellow Tacoman and watch as Basemint and Red Hex, Jason Freet (and perhaps more guests) assemble to rock your pants off. Have fun, have a drink and help someone out - a win-win-win. - Rev. Adam McKinney

Northern Olympia - Downtown. Christian Mistress, The Guild, Morgan & The Organ Donors. All Ages. 8 pm.

O'Malley's Irish Pub Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. One Up Two Down. 21+. 9 pm. NC.

SideBar Bistro Tacoma - Downtown. Saxophonist Michael Hershman. All Ages. 6-9 pm. NC.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Michal Miller Band. 21+. 9 pm.

The Swiss Tacoma - Downtown. Kry. 21+. 9 pm. $8.

Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill Spanaway. NW Harvest Benefit, with Prism (Pink Floyd tribute). 21+. 7 pm. $10.

LINK: More live music tonight in the South Sound

TUESDAY, AUG. 24, 2010 >>>

1. Musig Christenson Duo will perform jazz (beginning at 4:30 p.m.) while folks shop for lettuce and the 6th Avenue Farmers Market from 3:30-7:30 p.m.

2. This world's most prestigious amateur golf championship - 110th U.S. Amateur Championship - continues at Chambers Bay from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3. The 25 New Faces of Independent Film festival continues at The Grand Cinema at 2, 4, 6:15 and 8:15 p.m. Click here for today's schedule.

4. Mary Win and Sea Of Tides perform an all-ages 7 p.m. show at The Mandolin Café.

5. Santeria: A Tribute To Sublime hits Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill at 8 p.m.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

FLIRTIN' WITH DISASTER >>>

Weekly Volcano sales executive Tony Worrell does a perfect imitation of former Molly Hatchet lead singer Danny Joe Brown singing "Flirtin' With Disaster.

It's perfect.

And I could hear a little bit of that sound on my iPhone when Tony called in to let me know Molly Hatchet will perform Aug. 28 at Uncle Sam's American Bar & Grill in Spanaway. I asked Tony to give me a little something-something, but he wouldn't do the voice.

If you were old enough to remember back when Led Zeppelin ruled the skies and Sabbath scoured the underworlds, you surely can recall the tunes "Flirtin' With Disaster" and "Dreams I'll Never See."  Florida's shaggy-haired, hard-drinking and heavy-rockin' Molly Hatchet made it medium with the then-burgeoning Southern Rock scene led by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Mr. Molly put an especially heavy-handed, almost ugly brand on the genre.  I am sure that even the members of Spinal Tap would get a chuckle from the titles of the Hatch's albums Devil's Canyon, Silent Reign of Heroes and Warriors of the Rainbow Bridge.

Although Phil McCormack replaced Brown in 1996, today's version of Mr. Molly - featuring original guitarist Dave Hlubeck and longtime keyboardist John Galvin - should whip Spanaway into a frenzy that Saturday.

LINK: Bobble Tiki has the scoop