CAJUN BLUES: Wow, who forgot to clue us into this one until the last minute? We'll have to fire some interns over this, but that's what they get. Tab freaking Benoit is playing two sets at the Tractor tonight. It would be a real shame if the place wasn't crazy packed. The man is a legend. Bar none. Be there. We're going to do our damnedest to cancel our plans and join you. 9 p.m.......

A new visitor center makes its grand debut today at Paradise on Mt. Rainier. The new eco-friendlier center took three years to build and will replace the original space ship-esque Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center. While this Center won't offer the panoramic 360-degree view or the hot showers after a long hike to the old center, it will cost 77% less to operate and offers new exhibits on the mountain's history, geology, and flora......

--Mount Rainier will remain washed away until some time in the spring. --When it comes to salmon restoration, a river isn't just a river. --Oregon prepares for universal health care to bring about the end of the world. --Are Seattle-area home prices really "likely to decline," or is Everett just dreaming? --Idealog has a thinly-veiled threat for former and future employers. --Orangette will bake sumptuous macaroons for the lucky winner of a raffle. Proceeds go......

If you thought Southcenter was a massive blight of consumption run wild (chill out, commie) at 1,326,218 square feet you ain't seen nothing yet. From Abercrombie and Fitch (regular and kids) to Zales Jewelry, there are 193 flavors all told so if it's mass produced and it's for sale, you'll find it there. Heeemongus sometimes isn't big enough, though. Southcenter (actually Westfield Southcenter, now) is adding $200 million worth of new stores and restaurants.......

Attention! Attention everyone! Seattlest would like to call to your attention the fact that Seattle Public Utilities is launching an initiative called Wasteless in Seattle, with the visionary goal of "zero waste." (Yes, the quotation marks make us nervous, too.) The P-I stole trash-talking already, so we're going with a riff on the old Smokey the Bear slogan for this story. Besides, if you mention trash-talking and Seattle, and readers don't hear about GP, then......

Mt. St. Helens has burbled and spat over the past six months, and during last fall's media frenzy we suffered a volcano-coverage overdose. One could smell the reporters' thoughts: Bring on the death and destruction...just erupt already! Despite all that, Seattlest still likes to check in on her every once in a while. According to the USGS, she's currently growing a new lava dome, which, well...we're not volcanologists, or seismologists, or any -ologist, really,......