SHOW YOUR SUPPORT >>>

What's our favorite thing about the "Boobie Bash" scheduled for Valentine's Day at Hell's Kitchen? Well, you'll be happy to know the fact it inspired the Tacoma Weekly to run with the headline "Show your love for boobies this Valentine's Day" is only second on our list.

Yes, it's hard to top the cause behind this event, even for schmucks like us.

Raising money for the "Team Lisa' Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure account - who's namesake, Lisa Gauthun, is diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer according to Clare Jensen's story in the Tacoma Weekly - the "Boobie Bash" promises live music from Moron Broz, Blood Hunger, Deathbed Confessions and Czar, as well as burlesque performances and raffle prizes galore.

[Hell's Kitchen, with Moron Broz, Blood Hunger, Deathbed Confessions, Czar, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

LET'S LOOK AT A MENU >>>

Stop with the tirade about hating Hallmark holidays. Clearly, it's true that Valentine's Day is an artificial way of forcing you to synchronize your expressions of love, loyalty, and romance with those of the rest of the world, but you have to admit that it's also nice to go out for a top-drawer dinner with someone you really care about.

Almost every restaurant in the South Sound has a V-Day special - with either legendarily erotic ingredients, or just a menu that seems over the top with foie gras and tenderloin for two. No matter where you choose to go, it's important to book ahead. Even with Feb. 14 falling on a Tuesday, expect it to be tight for reservations. Since most restaurants are typically set up for tables of four, and Valentine's Day is primarily about tables for two, the total capacity of restaurants gets a bit skewed. Start calling early - especially if you want a prime table. For a list of local restaurants, check out our South Sound Restaurant Guide here.

Have you found a promising V-Day menu in the South Sound? We have:

Babblin' Babs Bistro in Tacoma

Bite Restaurant in Tacoma

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Olympia Downtown Association's 2012 Person of the Year: Ruthie Snyder, a City of Olympia code enforcement officer whose focus has been on downtown the past three years. (News Tribune)

End Of The World Still Trending: Wind and power outages. (News Tribune)

Earthquake: A 3.4 rumbled close to Mount St. Helens. (News Tribune)

Tacoma City Council: It's down with the new police union contract. (News Tribune)

Foss Waterway Site 4: Shorelines Hearings Board's found KS Tacoma Holdings LLC did not have standing to appeal a permit revision. (Leagle)

State Of The Union: Obama challenges Congress on sticky issues. (CNN)

Somalia: Western hostages freed in US military raid. (BBC)

Fake Boy Band 2gether: Getting Back Together. (Time)

New Music: Fiona Apple will release sometime this year. (Time)

Mad Love: When You Care To Send The Very Give someone a Jon Hamm telegram for Valentine's Day. (Gothamist)

Parting Shot: Bed pillow lets Batman hug you with his fists. (Comics Alliance)

Creepy Thing Of The Day

SERIOUSLY ... A FREE DINNER >>>

A fiery mix of minds should banish the chill and slush tonight.

Members of the Saint Martin's University community will unleash hopes and thoughts on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. tonight.

But this isn't the typical four-days-after MLK Day event.

The free and open to the public event features a Southern-style dinner with remarks by Jonathan Hew Len, the University's student body president, and University President Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D.

Yes, the events includes a free dinner.

A powerful performance by the Mayhem Poets will round out the evening. According to hype, "The Mayhem Poets blend spoken word, hip-hop, theater, improv and standup comedy to expose audiences to fresh perspectives on both historical and contemporary issues. Their unique approach to spoken word has landed them feature spots on The Today Show and Eyewitness News."

The event is presented by Saint Martin's Campus Life PROS, SMU Black Student Union, and Office of Intercultural Initiatives.

[Norman Worthington Conference Center, Friday, Jan. 20, 6-7:30 p.m., free, 5300 Pacific Ave. S.E., Lacey, 360.491,4700]

THIS JUST IN >>>

The University of Puget Sound just sent this to the Weekly Volcano World Headquarters:

Due to  inclement weather, we regret that the Martin Luther King Jnr. 7 p.m. evening celebration in Kilworth Memorial Chapel and 5 p.m. afternoon reception in the Rotunda at University of Puget Sound have been postponed. We will work to reschedule these for a future date.

The evening event was to feature Lyle Quasim as speaker. The afternoon reception was for volunteers who took part in community work today.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Where to honor the great man locally. (Weekly Volcano)

Weather: More snow is on the way. (Seattle Times)

Mount Rainier Snowshoer Still Missing: search resumes today. (News Tribune)

Native Quest: New center for "urban Natives." (News Tribune)

Outta Here: Jon Huntsman finished third in last week's primary in New Hampshire, a state in which he had staked his entire campaign, behind Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. So he's quitting. (CNN)

The 2012 Golden Globes: The best unscripted moments. (Flavorwire)

Date Set: Game of Thrones returns April 1. (Coming Soon)

Gene Hackman: He's OK after being hit by a truck while riding his bike. (USA Today)

The Simpsons: Portlandia invades. (TV Line)

Keep Dreaming

MONDAY, JAN. 16, 2012 >>>

1. Morning, all! For those of you who are off and wondering what to do with yourselves, We have the rundown on some of today's local MLK Day events, which includes the big celebration at the Tacoma Dome. Let us know what you're getting up to today down in the comments.

2. Meet the adorable new southern sea otter, Libby, and the rest of the crew at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium from from9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

3. Something about the driving guitars and the rough female vocals make Big Eyes something more than just a run of the mill, good garage rock act. Elements of the Breeders and even the Ramones run through the music of Big Eyes, but the band somehow manages to sound quintessentially like itself. Catch the band with Si Si Si, Up All Night and the Wild Ones at 7 p.m. inside Tahoma Tea and Co., where The Den @ urbanXchnage use to sit.

4. Before the Greta Jane Quartet begins its Monday jazz nights next week at The 4th Avenue Tavern it will help The Brotherhood Lounge in downtown Olympia celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's life at 8 p.m.

POSTPONED! 5. Magoo's Annex's Micro Mondays with DJ Melodica has become a habit for many, specifically those who enjoy punk, post punk, New Wave, early electronica and garage tunes while waiting for that one damn pool table. Tonight at 8:30 p.m. the "Micro" is shelved for something Melodica calls "Showcase Monday." DJ Darren Selector will be in the house, as well as the band Battersea and a TV theme trivia contest with prizes.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

LINK: This week's freebies

In 2011 Tacoma was rated the "Most Romantic City" in the country, over places like Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Calif., New Haven, Conn., and El Paso, Texas. Let's just let that sink in for a moment. Tacoma, the most romantic city in America... Seriously?

According to an equation based off of the number of Internet searches on all things "romantic" divided by number of searchers, Tacoma is Number One. While most of us have a hard time believing that, you can find some delightful Valentine's Day gifts and date ideas while roaming about the dreamy city of Tacoma.

If you're looking for something fun to do, London Couture is sponsoring an event called Sweet & Spicy: A Valentine's Day Burlesque at Theatre on the Square and Studio II. The event includes a dessert buffet, wine, shopping and performances by Kim Archer, as well as two of the greatest burlesque troupes you'll see in the Northwest, Gritty City Sirens and Tush! Burlesque. Sweet & Spicy will benefit two causes, the YWCA of Pierce County and the Broadway Center. Tickets are $40 and it's ages 21+. Find more info at BroadwayCenter.org.

Speaking of London Couture, if you want to find something classy yet sassy for your Valentine, definitely take a step inside this boutique on Broadway. I could spend hours in there trying everything on; it's all so unique! Plus, London Couture carries Tokyomilk, a line of lovely smelling soaps, lotions, candles, bubble baths and perfumes. London Couture is on 746 Broadway in downtown Tacoma.

Want to be a little more traditional? Farley's Flowers to Go on Sixth Avenue does a rose bouquet, teddy bear and chocolate bundle all for $100. Or, if you'd rather go for just the roses, it'll cost you $75. Farley's has been around for over 70 years. It's classic Tacoma romance.

Willow Spa on 21^st Avenue has a few specials going, including an hour-long facial and a brow wax for $60 or a foot and hand massage with a brow wax for $30. Nothing says romance like the gift of an eyebrow wax.

In years past, Dwell Home Decor (also on 21^st Avenue) has done a special Valentine's Day shopping event. And while Dwell isn't holding one this year, there are still lots of cute gifts inside. Some Valentiney, some not; it doesn't matter, it's all great. There is not one thing in there that wouldn't make a fabulous gift.

To keep with our Tacoma-love theme, stop by Brown & Haley on 26^th and Pacific for some almond, cashew, mocha or macadamia Roca. Locally made, delicious and packaged in one of those adorable heart-shaped boxes - you can't go wrong!

Still no idea what to get for your dreamboat? Just walk into Sanford & Son at 743 Broadway and be prepared to explore - three floors, 20 shops and zillions of things. Seriously. It's impossible not to find something in there. Sanford and Son has everything from 1950s magazines and books, to antique furniture pieces, to vintage dresses and shoes. Unique, fun, and very Tacoma.

A classy place for dinner is Pacific Grill. The restaurant starts its love fest a day early with a Valentine's special on both February 13 and 14.

Whether you want to believe it or not, you're spending Valentine's Day in Yelp.com's "Most Romantic City" of 2011, Tacoma. Congratulations. Mazel tov. Snaps. Start planning and shopping. And spread the love around this "romantic" town. 

Every New Year's Eve we do it to ourselves. Why? Is it the sweet clink of the ice cubes? The exhilarating pop of the cork? Or just the way the night seems to open up into endless magical possibilities?

Whatever it is, things aren't so magical the next morning. There's nothing glamorous or exhilarating about bloodshot eyes swollen shut. Instead of trying to remember who dropped the poison into your eyeballs, soothe the savage orb with wikiHow's seven steps to cure puffy eyes. You're so welcome.

From everyone at the Weekly Volcano and Spew land, we wish you a happy new year!

LINK: 5 Ways to be a Better (cough) You!

PUCKER UP PEOPLE >>>

For days now, you've been waiting for your posse to come up with a plan for New Year's Eve. Meanwhile, they were waiting for your brilliant plan, and there you are, all gussied up with no place to go when the ball drops. Before you end up watching your mate fall asleep in front of The Twilight Zone marathon, check out the following South Sound events and ideas for this weekend.

5 Things To Do Today: Duh. It's your daily go to click.

Turn it up to a 12: New Year's Eve live music forecast for the South Sound

Get down on it: Dance to a DJ New Year's Eve

First Night Tacoma: The allure of fire

Bar hopping in Olympia: You won't be able to do it much longer

Last meals: Where to eat locally before the zombies arrive

Shocking New Year's Day: Take the plunge

Franciscan Polar Plaza: Skate your way into 2012

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight