Buzz Bin

by MICHAEL BOWEN & r & & r & Across the Pond & r & & r & The Brits seem to be following the U.S. presidential primaries as closely -- if not closer -- than most Americans, if BBC radio coverage is any indication. North American Editor Justin Webb has interviewed most of the major candidates, and he has explained to British listeners the difference between a caucus and a primary, how the major parties award delegates, and what will happen with those delegates come convention time -- handy info for those of us here who've forgotten most of our civics lessons. But it's Webb's analysis that's proving the most entertaining: After reporting that Republican Mitt Romney had proclaimed, "This election is about our children's future," Webb commented, in that distinctly British sarcastic-yet-polite voice, "Gosh, Governor, how surprising." For more, check out KPBX's broadcasts of the BBC starting at midnight nightly, or visit Webb's blog at bbc.co.uk.





Buff Rebuff


Winter's got you down. Your shoulders ache from shoveling and you've been spinning your wheels both literally and figuratively. Ease back into a chair and think about a beach -- a warm expanse filled with fit, lithe bodies hurling themselves across the sand for the spike and dig. If that vision lifts your spirits, then hie thee to the Spokane Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7 pm for the 2008 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball "Hot Winter Nights" Tour. Call 325-SEAT.





SB Commercial Redux


So you left the room during Sunday's Super Bowl at the exact time when that Budweiser ad aired -- you know, the one about the rejected Clydesdale who gets coached by a Dalmatian and comes back to make the team the next year, the one everybody's buzzing about? Redeem your pop-culture cred by visiting myspace.com/superbowlads.





We Got Snowed


In preparation for our annual Nightlife issue, we deployed a dozen writers in search of good times at local bars and watering holes -- and some still haven't returned. Must be all the snow -- we can't think of any other reason. Anyway, look for a massive Bar Guide in our Nightlife issue, which now will appear in two weeks' time on Feb. 21. And that guy slumped in the corner? Tell him to stop boozing and start typing.