WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Tacoma City Council Laptop Thief: Tacoma Police have photos! (News Tribune)

One Flew Over The Garfield Elementary School: The padded walls at the Olympia school have been removed after complaints. (News Tribune)

Good News: The 96-acre site at the northeast end of the Port of Tacoma's Blair Waterway could become the destination for long unit trains carrying bulk commodities destined for export. (News Tribune)

Mad Cow: South Korea curbs beef sales. (CNN)

Mitt Romney: He's effectively took the Republican Party helm. (The New York Times)

America's Best Cities For Hipsters: We're surrounded. (Huffington Post)

Crown Crust Pizza: The horror. (YouTube)

It's About Time: A synchronized collage of every zoom in Stanley Kubrick's 1980 horror masterpiece, The Shining. (Strangewood)

Coming Soon?: The cardboard disposable digital camera by Ikea. (Design You Trust)

OH FANCY >>>

Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy wants a little of that Jack Connelly campaign gala hoopla action, and by hoopla action we mean the LeMay - America's Car Museum. The shiny classic cars, the giant arching wooden beams and big-ass windows overlooking downtown Tacoma - the LeMay Museum feels grand. And a grand feeling could lead to endorsements and money for McCarthy's re-election campaign, which kicks off Thursday, April 26 at said museum.

"The site of this event is perfect. The LeMay Car Museum is the latest example of the great things that are happening in Pierce County," states McCarthy in a press release. McCarthy was an early supporter of the museum with dreams of thousands of visitors, all wanting to eat, drink, shop and spend the night during visits.

What big name band will be performing during the campaign party?

"In the interest of raising money to spend on the campaign, we're not planning a live band, though there will be music, said Kathryn McCarthy, Pat's campaign manager.

Several hundred civic leaders representing public safety, business, labor, natural resource conservation, and cities and towns throughout the region are scheduled to attend.

In regards to Pat's second-term priorities, Kathryn listed a few:

Economic development

Growing the aerospace industry in Pierce County (we have 80+ Boeing suppliers here, and we'd like to see them grow)

Hosting a successful U.S. Open - the first in the Northwest - and getting into the USGA's regular rotation of courses (once a decade or so). This event will result in $150 million+ in spending in Pierce County.

Transportation

Securing state and federal funds to keep making transportation improvements on I-5 and other major road systems, and improving mass transit options from Sound Transit and Pierce Transit.

Public Safety

Build a South Sound 911 emergency communications system that makes every resident and business safer.

Open Space

Keep partnering with groups like Forterra and others to preserve forests, shorelines, open space and farmland.

McCarthy won a four-way race for County Executive in 2008 after serving six years as Pierce County Auditor and 12 years on the Tacoma School Board. She and her husband, Superior Court Judge John McCarthy, have four adult children and five grandchildren.

To RSVP for the event, go to www.reelectpatmccarthy.com or call 253.414.1798.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Arms Bazaar: Army bazooka, assault rifles, grenade launchers and other weapons you might find in Tacoma. (Daily Weekly)

Vanity Nightclub On South Tacoma Way: It's opened and shutdown many times. We guess it's back open because gunfire erupted outside it last night. (KOMO News)

Port Of Tacoma Commission: It has a new long-range strategic plan. (News Tribune)

Deplorable, Destabilizing And Dumbasses: The U.N. Security Council will meet Friday to discuss North Korea's botched missile launch. (CNN)

President Obama's Re-election: Running a positive campaign might be more difficult this time. (The New York Times)

Cultural Question: How did cats become bigger than Jesus? (Creative Loafing)

J.K. Rowling: She comes clean with the title and release date of her new book. (USA Today)

Francis Cobain: Twitter "should ban my mother." (USA Today)

Now We Know: Top 10 culturally significant banjo moments. (Pop Matters)

A Glutton's Delight: Burger King is testing the bacon sundae. (Time)

The Avengers: A bunch of behind-the-scenes footage. (Ain't It Cool News)

Tosh.o Dude: He's physically harassing unsuspecting women. (Jezebel)

Diet Coke: It has unveiled a new line of fashionable bottles, one of which draws inspiration from Madonna's infamous cone bra ensemble. (Billboard)

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL >>>

If a press release could smile, the release Weekly Volcano World Headquarters just received would be smiling corner to corner. The campaign for Rep. Jeannie Darneille (D) from the 27^th Legislative District announced a good chunk of the Tacoma City Council is in her camp for her State Senate run.

Here's the release:

Rep. Jeannie Darneille's campaign for State Senate (27^th LD) received a number of key local endorsements this week including Tacoma City Councilmembers David Boe, Victoria Woodards, and Anders Ibsen. The three join Councilmembers Ryan Mello and Lauren Walker as well as Mayor Marilyn Strickland in endorsing Darneille, earning her the support of the majority of the City Council.

Read more...

Comment On This Post

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment of the day comes from TheRealTruth who chimes in on the chatter revolving around a blog post on Jack Connelly's campaign kickoff at the LeMay Museum.

TheRealTruth writes,

I hope that people do learn about Jack Connelly. He has been a fighter for women's rights. Today Division I of the Court of Appeals put out a decision upholding a case he won on behalf of a woman who had been killed in a domestic violence situation after obtaining an anti harassment order. He took the case on behalf of her two daughters to prevent similar domestic violence deaths in the future. Jack also recently represented a lesbian woman who had been severely injured up in Seattle. Even more importantly, Jack is exceptionally strong on the issues that matter to the residents of this District – education, jobs and the economy. I hope you also learn the truth as Jack will be an outstanding Senator for this District.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Who Will Play Mayor Ray Harper In The Movie Version?: Eatonville Police are freakin' going nuts with the ticket books. (News Tribune)

Pierce County Council To Dale Washam: "Pretty please ... with sugar on top." (News Tribune)

Tacoma City Council: The Sales tax to fund mental health programs is a go. (News Tribune)

Tacoma Narrows Bridge Toll: Cross it, or buy a venti mocha with two pumps of caramel and whip? (News Tribune)

Mitt Meter: Mitt Romney scored a decisive win in the Illinois primary, running ahead of Rick Santorum by double-digits. (CNN)

Generic va. Brand-name Drug?: Lawsuits aimed at generic drugs are being thrown out across the country in the wake of a 2011 Supreme Court decision. (The New York Times)

Improbable research: The highs and lows of the musical eyebrow. (The Guardian)

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: See who's going in. (Rolling Stone)

Odd Couple: Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson have recorded a cover of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain." (MTV)

Mad Men Hype: Watch a Q&A session with the cast. (The New York Times)

Do You Need To Throw Up?: You will after watching a short film shot from a jump rope's dizzying perspective. (Geekologie)

One Tiny Hand: Why is it funny? It is funny. (Dangerous Minds)

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Tacoma City Council: It's expected to impose a 5 percent tax on admissions to some of Tacoma's largest nonprofit museums, theaters and performing arts groups tonight - a long-term sustainable solution for Tacoma's arts programs, but not popular with the large arts organizations. (News Tribune)

Lacey Shooting: The gunman is still on the loose. (News Tribune)

Pugnetti Park: Jerry Pugnetti says the park named after his father should be saved. (News Tribune)

GOP Presidential Primary: The pressure is on Mitt Romney in Illinois today. (CNN)

Justice Department: It's investigating the fatal shooting of an unarmed 17-year-old boy by a crime watch volunteer last month in Florida. (The New York Times)

Housing For The Homeless: 14 smart and sensitive solutions. (Web Urbanist)

Daniel Radcliffe: One of his first post-Hogwarts roles will be Beat poet Allen Ginsberg. (Slash Film)

Burger Battle: Wendy's unseats Burger King as country's second biggest hamburger chain. (Huffington Post)

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations behind-the-scenes TV crew videos. (Laughing Squid)

Yes!: 29 of fashion's mysteries solved. (Refinery 29)

When Critics Mattered: Kael, Ebert and '70s film. (Boston Review)

Is Slactivism Better Than Doing Nothing at All?: Watch to find out. (Mother Jones)

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL >>>

Thursday night 500 people, some dressed in green, slowly strolled up the wide concrete floor of the new LeMay America's Car Museum as Irish melodies from band Mooncoyne filled the enormous space. A bit of dodging was in order as many stopped to gander at the 1930 Duesenberg, the 1961 Chrysler and some 30 other cars parked inside. An impressive buffet and green Coors fueled the conversations, which all centered on attorney Jack Connelly, the North End Tacoma Democrat throwing the shindig.

This past summer Connelly, who grew up in Lakewood and has been practicing law in Tacoma for 30 years, announced he would run for the seat in the state Senate opening up with Debbie Regala's retirement this year. Since his announcement for the 2012 state Senate seat in 27th District, Rep. Jeannie Darneille has announced her intention to seek the same seat, with Regala's seal of approval.

I've known Connelly since the mid-'70s, when he would yell at me, push me in the pool and work my ass hard. He was my swim coach. A damn good one, too. Connelly was also an accomplished swimmer, nabbing Lakes High School's first All American title, and later a collegiate All American swimmer for Stanford.

It wasn't a shock when Tacoma attorney Dan Hannula took the podium first during Connelly's 2012 campaign kick-off event Thursday night. Hannula, a six-time NCAA All American swimmer, was Connelly's swim mate/rival, which began at the Tacoma Swim Club. Hannula praise Connelly's strength and courage to stand up to bullies by representing those who have no voice. 

"Come One, Come all. This is exactly what this campaign is about. Coming together to make each other stronger," said Dr. Kelly Goodsell, who works regionally in education management, reiterating one of Connelly's campaign platforms - bringing the community together as one with fairness, equality and respect for every person. "Jack Connelly is a leader who acknowledges and celebrates our differences," she said with emphasis.

Connelly ended the short program explaining his campaign would be about "We" not "I." His desire is to start making works as it's designed to work. "Having people work together, we the people working together for the state of Washington," said Connelly. He explained his desire to improve education, provide more family wage jobs and to promote small business opportunities.

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Madame Slimball: Jacqueline Nicole Carr is in the Pierce County Jail after allowing awo 15-year-old girls to prostitute themselves in the home she shares with her two young sons. (News Tribune)

Mister Slimeball: Lakewood police are chasing a man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman at gunpoint inside her apartment. (News Tribune)

Afghan President To U.S.: Get the hell out. (CNN)

Senate Democrats Are Pissed: The Violence Against Women Act once enjoyed broad bipartisan support but now faces fierce opposition from Republicans. (The New York Times)

Business Advice: Twenty-two executives share the best advice they ever received. (Business Insider)

Circus Boost: Scientists plan to clone the Woolly Mammoth. (Time)

Incest?: Whitney Houston's daughter likely doing it with Whitney Houston's adopted son. (Gawker)

Out Of Luck: HBO has canceled Luck. (Yahoo)

Better Luck: Portlandia will return for a third season. (LaughSpin)

This Report Brought To You By Geritol: Rolling Stones push back its 50^th Anniversary Tour to 2013. (Rolling Stone)

Need Sleep?: Christopher Walken reads Where the Wild Things Are. (boingboing)

Put Some Clothes On Girls

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Scandal County: Pierce County Council crosses its fingers and rubs rabbit feet in hopes Assessor-Treasure Dale Washam resigns. (News Tribune)

While You Were Watching MythBusters: Tacoma City Council came up with a plan to pay for mental health and substance-abuse programs. (News Tribune)

GOP Presidential Race: Rick Santorum owns the Alabama and Mississippi. (CNN)

Today In Resigning Financial Leaders: Executive Director Greg Smith probably won't have his picture hanging on the walls of Goldman Sachs. (The New York Times)

New Star Wars film: Topher Grace edits Stars Wars Episodes I through III into one film. (Slashfilm)

The Shins' New Album: You can stream Port of Morrow on iTunes. (Paste Magazine)

Speaking Of Streaming: Jack White has a new song. (Twenty Four Bit)

Green King: Burger King to offer free fries and green ketsup on St. Patrick's Day. (Huffington Post)

Helpful Tip Of The Day: What to do when the elevator starts a free-fall. (The New York Times)

Today's French Cat Video