WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Today In Scumbags: Josh Powell set fire that killed him and his two sons at Graham-area home. (News Tribune)

Olympic Pharmacy and Healthcare Services: The Gig Harbor pharmacy is being sued for incorrect dosages. (News Tribune)

U.S. loses Embassy in Syria: Intense blasts echo through the Syrian city of Homs after a weekend bloodbath ended in hundreds of deaths, activists say. (CNN)

New York Will Go Nuts: Super Bowl champs New York Giants will receive a giant parade. (CNN)

US And Israel: Working together to prevent Iran from going nuclear. (BBC)

Super Bowl Ad Metter: Doritos wins. (USA Today)

Madonna's Half-time Show: See it again. (YouTube)

Shown Only In Nebraska: Will Ferrell's Super Bowl ad. (New York Magazine)

Love At The Bottom Of The Sea: The Magnetic Fields release new video. (Out)

Famous Authors Chime In: The greatest books of all time. (The Atlantic)

Soul Train Flash Mob Tribute To Don Cornelius

GET YOUR GAME FACE ON >>>

It's Super Bowl Sunday, possums, and the Weekly Volcano has to confess to feeling a tad bipolar about the whole thing: glad to see the Pats in it again and ready to don our ''Mrs. Brady" T-shirt, but also bored to distraction at the thought of subjecting ourselves to a four-hour advertising blitz interrupted by a few minutes of pro football.

Weekly Volcano editor Matt Driscoll offers 11 tips for certain Super Bowl XLVI success here.

At The Mix's Super Bowl Party, the Weekly Volcano can at least whoop it up with some of the craziest, gayest fans in Tacoma ... and maybe win a trip to Vegas. For every drink you purchase during The Mix's Super Bowl Party, you'll receive a raffle ticket in the Vegas drawing, as well as an opportunity to win four of five other big prizes. The Triangle District watering hole will serve $5 Jack shots, $5 Bloody Marys and free food during the game. Folks are encouraged to bring food, too.

Seeing as the Weekly Volcano won't be eligible for the Vegas trip or other prizes if we stay at home, we will just have to defy all expectations that our couch or dog might maintain.

[The Mix, 2 p.m., 635 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.4327]

Post your party below!

LINK: Super Bowl Sunday eating in Tacoma

LINK: Super Bowl at the Liberty Theater

SATURDAY, FEB. 4, 2012 >>>

1. A wonderful therapeutic effect happens when people and horses connect. The same can be said when people connect with comedians. Although, sometimes the comedians make fun of your mother. Anyway, the folks at Changing Rein in Graham, where self-discovery and healing happens through working with and riding horses, hosts a fundraiser at 5 p.m. at the Grit City Comedy Club in Tacoma. Tacoma comedian and entertainer Mike Agostini headlines the benefit show.

2. Zumba officially began in 2001, combining hip-shaking Latin-inspired dance moves and aerobics. Now in more than 125 countries, it has a fan base that is almost cult-like in their devotion. If you want to see the phenomenon for yourself, Zumba big-wig Kass Martin will drop in on Tacoma's Studio 138 at 10 a.m. for two hours of craziness.

3. Tacoma author Marissa Meyer will discuss and sign her book Cinder at 2 p.m. inside the Wheelock Library. Come listen to what happens when a cyborg girl finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle.

4. Playwright August Wilson is best known for his Pittsburgh Cycle - a series of 10 plays each set in a different decade recalling the struggles and comedies of the African American experience in the 20th Century. That's what happens when you win two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama for something. At 3 p.m., the Broadway Center, Northwest Playwrights Alliance and hosting venue Washington State History Museum bring us Two Trains Running, part of Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle recalling Civil Rights Era Pittsburgh in 1969. Hype on the Broadway Center website describes the play, saying "In spite of the political and social change that sweeps through the nation, many of the characters are too cynical and down-trodden to experience hope for the future or even rage for the ongoing tragedies."

5. I Defy, CFA, Attitude Adjustment, Konkhra and Contrast The Water will rock Hell's Kitchen beginning at 9 p.m.

PLUS: Scrapartsmusic show details in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

LINK: Local happy hours

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Puyallup City Council: A moment of silence before discussing daffodils? (News Tribune)

We're Number 15!: Tacoma is overpriced, according to Forbes magazine. (Tacoma KOMO)

Olympia Coffee Roasting: They know what they're doing. (The Olympian)

Hacked While Discussing Hacking: Anonymous releases what it says is a recording of a phone call between the FBI and UK police discussing their efforts against hacking. (BBC)

National Jobless Rate: Employers added 243,000 jobs in January, higher than anticipated. Hiring numbers for 2011 were also revised, with 180,000 more jobs added than originally thought. (CNN)

Football Anger: Egyptian protesters clash with security forces for a second day in Cairo, as anger over the deaths of dozens of football fans threatens political unrest. (BBC)

Sasquatch! 2012: The lineup has been announced. (KEXP)

Rock Star TV: Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and comedian Dana Gould are working on a TV show that would revolve around a rock band on the verge of stardom and breaking up. (The Hollywood Reporter)

It is its Density: Will Back To The Future become the latest film to get a Broadway stage production? (Deadline)

Unluckiest Person Ever?: Entire town wins lottery, except for one man. (Time)

Screw The X Games: Until you've strapped an ironing board to your back and climbed a 14er to iron the fuck out of a dress shirt, you haven't lived. (BuzzFeed)

To Cap Off A Slow News Morning

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25, 2012 >>>

1. So you like your theater but have trouble with your attention span? Boy, do we have just the theater festival for you! The Pacific Lutheran University chapter of Alpha Psi Omega - described as a national theater honor society (even though it sounds like that frat your cousin with the Ed Hardy wardrobe joined) - presents its annual One Act Theater Festival, today through Jan. 28, at PLU's Eastvold Theater. This year's One-Act Festival bears the title "Loss ... and Found," and spotlights three one-act plays - two of them written by PLU students. According to promotion, expect Recklessness by Eugene O'Neill and directed by Frank Roberts, Otter Pops by Alex Eddy and directed by Corissa DeVerse, and Poor Little Doggy by Myia Johnson and directed by T.R. Robinson.

2. Admittedly, we have a hard time hearing the word "clarinet" and not thinking about junior high band class. And those aren't exactly the type of memories that make us want to head to the concert hall on a Wednesday night. But 19-year-old Narek Arutyunian, coming to Olympia's Washington Center for the Performing Arts tonight, is worth the gamble. One element of what the Washington Center website touts as, "its 16th consecutive year of presenting three of the world's finest young concert musicians in association with Young Concert Artists, Inc," Arutynunian has been widely celebrated for things like his "virtuosity," "warmth" and "charisma." Seeing as we've never had the word "virtuosity" associated with anything we've done in life, it's hard to argue with Arutyunian's street cred ... even if he does play the clarinet. Then there's the fact that, according to the Young Concert Artist Inc. website, Arutyunian has already done things like take home First Prize in the 2010 Young Concert Artists International Auditions and receive the Leona Green Memorial Award. Dude's legit.

3. Today marks the kick-off of the always-spectacular Tacoma Home & Garden Show - now in its 29^th year. The Home & Garden Show runs through the weekend in the Tacoma Dome, but beat the crowds and get your fill of vinyl siding demonstrations today!

4. Holy cow! Not only does the Tacoma Home & Garden Show start today, so does the Washington Sportsmen's Show & Sport Fishing Boat Show - running the entire weekend at the Puyallup Fair and Events Center. Find more info here.

5. Musically in T-Town, guitar player extraordinaire Johnny A will plug in at Jazzbones for an all-ages show starting at 7:30 p.m. Word on the street is local guitar hero Jerry Miller will join him on stage.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

It's a busy week for O'Laughlin Trade Shows - the juggernaut behind this week's Tacoma Home & Garden Show at the Tacoma Dome, AND the 25th annual Washington Sportsmen's Show and Sport Fishing Boat Show at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Wednesday through Sunday, the Washington Sportsmen's Show will offer the best in dudes wearing flannel and exaggerated fishing stories. But, best of all, check out what's billed as the "one-of-a-kind" indoor "Steelhead River."

It's hard to go wrong with an indoor river.

According to hype, other attractions include over 150 hours of how-to seminars, camp cooking demos and a free trout pond for the kids.

Wait!?! Two indoor bodies of water?

Just pinch us now.

[Puyallup Fair & Events Center, noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, $12 adults, $5 for ages 6-16, free for 5 and younger, 110 Ninth Ave. SW, Puyallup, thesportshows.com/wss]

SPECIAL TEAMS >>>

It's time to start planning the biggest event of the year, your Super Bowl party. I don't get as riled up about the game as I used to - I think it's because players now change teams as often as they change their jockstraps - but I do still love a good party.

So does Pat Nagle of the Harmon restaurants group. The owner of the Harmon Tap Room will add a takeout option to the Stadium District brew pub, allowing folks to load up on food and Harmon brews for Super Bowl parties - and any other party for that matter.

"If you are in the market for a keg for a party, reception, whatever - The Tap Room is the place to go," says Nagle.

The Tap Room's complete menu will be available for takeout. Beginning Super Bowl weekend, Nagle will erect "Tap Room Takeout Parking Only" signs allowing for fast, convenient five-minute parking for takeout customers.

Nagle says he will offer special pricing when food is paired with a Harmon brew, such as pizza and a growler; Cuban, fries and a bottle of beer; Brewer's chicken salad and a growler; Party platter with 10 pizzas and a pony keg.

Nagle also says the Tap Room's back space will be slightly remodeled to host more live music.

[Harmon Tap Room, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 204 St. Helens, Tacoma, 253.212.2725]

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Flood Warning: The South Sound is on alert through Thursday. (News Tribune)

Lincoln High Alum Jon Kitna Returned To His Alma Mater To Teach: He's a tough teacher who will stand behind the desk to take a hit and has the respect of his fellow teachers. He has/had a good eraser arm and isn't afraid to take chances. (News Tribune)

The Four Lunchers: The Puyallup City Hall has concerns over their Bromance. (News Tribune)

Thurston County Snow: It messed up budgets. (News Tribune)

If You Care: Mitt Romney made $42.7 million over the past two years and paid $6.2 million in taxes. (CNN)

Oscar Nominees Announced: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced its nominees for the 84th Annual Academy Awards. Among the best picture nominees are The Artist, War Horse and Hugo. (CNN)

"The Confrontational Amsterdam Hooker" Is Now Cool: Google+ relaxes real name policy to allow pseudonyms. (BBC)

Flying To The North Pole?: Watch Out! Solar storm's effects to lash Earth through Wednesday. (BBC)

Smell Like The Hulk: Avengers cologne is here. (Moviefone)

Could Happen At Starbucks Now: Slurring man insists on ordering a tortilla with beans and lots of mustard. (Reuters)

Southern Man: Vedder to tour solo. (Billboard)

Beard Necessities: Disney employees can now grow facial hair. (CBS News)

Sucks If You Are Seated On The Side

FEELING GROOVY ON NORTH 36TH >>>

The original downhill pioneers damn near strapped entire tree trunks to their feet, doggedly steering them like great monoliths. Back then, men were men, and people had to ski uphill, both ways, in the snow.

And you know what? Those manly men laughed and laughed - even though they we working up one helluva rash.

Times have changed, and so have the equipment, clothing and attitudes. What hasn't changed is the thrill one feels when the planks are strapped and pointed down.

Aaron Pedersen, a familiar face around the Proctor District, community events and fantasy football tables, went for a thrill ride today on skis - down North 36^th Street in Tacoma. He recorded the feat via a head cam, as well as dropped a groovy tune over it.

Well done Mr. Pedersen

FREE EVENTS JAN. 16-22 IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Snow prompts Bobble Tiki to think that the All Mighty, while he may not shoot craps with the universe as Albert Einstein said, at least has a sense of humor. She makes existence uncertain by conjuring up sea-level snow every now and then, but at no apparently regular interval, and throws in a few earthquakes, ice storms, floods and the like now and then just to let us know who is boss.

The trouble is Bobble Tiki never sees it coming.  Skier/ Kayaker/Mountain Explorer Jeff Renner and other weather suits can barely tell us which way the wind is blowing. Yet, they still get the coin. Thursday, Bobble Tiki thought is was a brilliant idea to create a list of free outdoor activities for this coming week. Today, it seems like a ridiculous list.

Anyway, here it is - a list of free things to do outdoors this week in the South Sound.

MONDAY, JAN. 16: Washington State Parks says its cool to visit a state park for free Jan. 16. Yes, you don't need a Discover Pass, which is normally required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

TUESDAY, JAN. 17: When was the last time you hung out with a pack of wolves? If you're anything like Bobble Tiki, the closest you generally get to wildlife is when you're forced to smoke outside. Helen Thayer traveled to the virtually untouched Canadian Yukon Territory, above the Arctic Circle, to live within 100 feet of a wild wolf den. She spent a summer observing and documenting the daily lives and behaviors of the pack and returned in the winter to study the wolves' interaction with the polar bears on the northern sea ice. Come hear stories and view photos detailing the remarkable story of wolves at 7 p.m. inside the Olympia REI. You must RSVP here for the free event.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18: The Tacoma REI offers a free introductory Avalanche Awareness class at 7 p.m. The Friends of the Northwest Avalanche Center will provide information on where to find avalanche reports, how to interpret the reports, assess avalanche risks and learn about the gear needed for avalanche terrain. RSVP here.

THURSDAY, JAN. 19: The Tahoma Audubon will lead a free walk through the Adriana Hess Wetland Park in University Place from noon to 1:30 p.m. No registration is needed.

FRIDAY, JAN. 20: Soon you will be able to spend time outside during the day without risk of hospitalization. You should join the Tacoma Mountaineers right now, just to celebrate.  Right now.  Riiiiggght now.  OK, fine, you want to know something about them? They hike, they bike, they climb, and yes - they mountaineer, too. (And rockin'?  Hah! - parties, too.) In short, indoors is out. Outdoors is in. So get out by getting in. Or something like that. The Mountaineers Tacoma Branch hosts an Open House with special guest speaker Washington state guidebook author Craig Romano Friday from 7-9 p.m. Drawing from his new release, Day Hiking Columbia River Gorge, Craig will be sharing tales from the trails from Ridgefield, Wash. to Boardman, Ore. Oh, because of a clubhouse renovation, the open house will be held at the Pierce County Library Processing Administration Center at 3005 112^th St. E. in Tacoma.

SATURDAY, JAN. 21: Go Get It Gal, a website aimed at adventurous women, will hosts a party from 3-6 p.m. at Joy Ride Bicycles in Lacey.This event, obviously aimed at women, will include comedic live music, food, community vendors, prize giveaways and a sale on women's bicycle gear and products. The keynote will be an interview with Olympia cycling legend and nine-time Hawaii Ironman finisher, Louise Taylor, who will share her secrets of longevity in athletic pursuits.

SUNDAY, JAN. 22: You need to join the Swiss Sportmen's Club of Tacoma right now. Sunday morning the club will host a free shotgun shoot in Bonney Lake. Shooting shotguns with the Swiss. Yo ho-lee ho-o-lee hol-la-lee-ho!

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound